Tracy Brabin for Labour elected as first-ever West Yorkshire mayor in 2021 election

It comes after hours of counting with second preference results needed as no candidate received over 50 per cent of the votes in the first count.

Ms Brabin received 42.275 per cent of votes in the first count - and 310,923 votes overall.

Matt Robinson (Conservative) was in second-place with 209,137 votes.

Ms Brabin said: "It is an honour I just can't put into words."

Ben Still, Managing Director of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, said: “This election of a Mayor of West Yorkshire marks the start of a new chapter for devolution in the region.

"We look forward to supporting the Mayor and the Combined Authority members to deliver better opportunities for economic growth, better transport, while tackling the climate emergency and improving living standards for all our communities.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, having a Mayor will help us meet our regional challenges and shape our future.

"Tracy Brabin will act as a figurehead for the region and bring West Yorkshire greater influence within government at a national level, including on economic recovery, the power to shape government policy and access further funding.”

Roger Marsh OBE DL, Chair of the LEP and NP11 Group of Northern Local Enterprise Partnerships, said: “The election of the first Mayor of West Yorkshire takes us another step further in realising our vision for an economically thriving West Yorkshire, where investment in skills, training and education promote good jobs and a highly skilled, diverse workforce that results in stronger, more innovative, productive and resilient businesses.

“I look forward to working with Tracy Brabin on our region’s economic recovery from the pandemic and long-term prosperity, driving inclusive growth to improve the quality of life for all West Yorkshire residents.”

The Mayor of West Yorkshire will have a similar role to the Mayors of Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region and other regions in England that have secured devolution deals.

With special responsibility for areas such as transport, housing and finance, the Mayor will work alongside the leaders of the councils in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield to help make the county an even better place to live.

The election will also change the way police and crime matters are overseen in West Yorkshire, with the Mayor taking on the functions of the Police and Crime Commissioner, supported by an appointed Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.

The total number of first preference votes cast for each candidate was:

Tracy Brabin (Labour) – 261,170

Matt Robinson (Conservative) – 176,167

Bob Buxton (Yorkshire Party) – 58,851

Andrew Cooper (Green) – 55,833

Stewart Golton (Lib Dem) – 30,162

Waj Ali (Reform UK) – 14,943

Thérèse Hirst (English Democrats – “Putting England First!”) – 8,969