York and North Yorkshire mayor: Six candidates stand in election

Voters will go to the polls on 2 May

Six candidates are to stand in the election for York and North Yorkshire's first elected mayor.

Nominations closed on Friday for the role of mayor, who will oversee York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

It launched in February following a devolution deal struck between the City of York Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the government in 2022.

The combined authority does not replace the existing councils, which will still deliver services to residents.

Voters will go to the polls on 2 May

Voters will go to the polls on Thursday 2 May, and the candidates (sorted by surname alphabetically) are:

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister - Liberal Democrats

Keane Duncan - The Conservative Party

Kevin Foster- The Green Party

Paul Haslam - Independent

David Skaith - Labour and Co-operative Party

Keith Tordoff - Independent

The mayoral authority will have responsibility for transport as well as aspects of education and business support.

It will also be the first in England to have responsibility for the governance of the region's fire and rescue service.

Guide to the first North Yorkshire mayor election

The role of North Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner will be merged with that of the new mayor.

The mayor will appoint a deputy with responsibility for policing, fire and crime to perform the day-to-day functions of the role.