West Yorkshire Mayoral election 2024: Live updates as count gets underway

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The result of the election for West Yorkshire mayor is set to be announced today (May 4).

Voters headed to the polls on Thursday (May 2), when they were asked to choose between six candidates to become the next Mayor of West Yorkshire. They were -

  • Tracy Lynn Brabin - Labour and Co-operative Party
  • Bob Buxton - Yorkshire Party
  • Andrew Varah Cooper - Green Party
  • Arnold Eric Craven - Conservative Party Candidate
  • Stewart Golton - Liberal Democrats
  • Jonathan Richard Tilt - Independent

The current Mayor of West Yorkshire is Tracy Brabin, who was the first person to take on the role back in 2021.

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This will be the second election of a person into the role, which was created as part of a devolution deal agreed by the leaders of the five councils in West Yorkshire.

Today’s count follows the results being received yesterday in the Leeds City Council elections.

The count is expected to begin later today.

Follow our live blog below for the results and reaction -

Who are the candidates?

The candidates in the election for Mayor of West Yorkshire are -

  • Tracy Lynn Brabin - Labour and Co-operative Party
  • Bob Buxton - Yorkshire Party
  • Andrew Varah Cooper - Green Party
  • Arnold Eric Craven - Conservative Party Candidate
  • Stewart Golton - Liberal Democrats
  • Jonathan Richard Tilt - Independent

When will the winner be announced?

The results for the 2024 West Yorkshire Mayor Election are expected at around 3.15pm today, Saturday, May 4.

What is the mayor's role?

The Mayor of West Yorkshire’s role includes housing and planning, as well as powers to put together a “spatial development strategy”. It also includes housing and land acquisition powers to support regeneration and infrastructure development.

The mayor is allowed to set a precept on council tax to fund mayoral functions. This is an extra payment placed on top of regular council tax, such as is currently used for police, fire and parish councils.

An elected mayor also has the power to draw up a local transport plans and strategies, the power to request local regulations requiring large fuel retailers to provide electric vehicle charging points. This gives the mayor bus franchising powers.

The current mayor, Labour’s Tracy Brabin, has held the title since 2021, and is hoping to be re-elected today.

Counting has started

Counting is now underway!

Bradford Council have revealed the voter turnout for the West Yorkshire Mayoral election:

Electorate: 375,488

No. of ballot papers verified: 126,485

Percentage turnout: 33.7%

Counting is underway in Huddersfield

Counting is underway at Cathedral House in Huddersfield.

Voter turnout in Kirklees is as follows:

Electorate: 317,939

No. of ballot papers verified: 111,102

Percentage turnout: 34.94%

Only 24.93% of those eligible to vote in Wakefield appeared at the polling stations on Thursday.

West Yorkshire voter turnout

The total turnout across West Yorkshire for the Mayoral Election is 32.71%, Leeds City Council reveals.

Kirklees is the first council to reveal its election results, with Tracy Brabin winning with 47,897 votes.

Tracy Brabin at the Leeds Mayoral election count

Tracy Brabin spotted at the count today at the John Charles Centre in Leeds. Results are expected at around 2.30pm.

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