Patrick Stewart backs Labour's Tracy Brabin in West Yorkshire mayoral race

Patrick Stewart has said although his career “has taken him away” from Yorkshire to Los Angeles he was “still a West Yorkshire man” at heart as he threw his support behind Labour’s candidate in the region’s first metro mayor race.
By Geraldine Scott
Published 15th Apr 2021, 17:44 BST
Updated 15th Apr 2021, 17:46 BST
Screengrab from video released by Patrick Stewart backing Tracy Brabin. Photo: Labour PartyScreengrab from video released by Patrick Stewart backing Tracy Brabin. Photo: Labour Party
Screengrab from video released by Patrick Stewart backing Tracy Brabin. Photo: Labour Party

Voters in West Yorkshire will have the chance to select their first metro mayor on May 6.

Labour’s pick, Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin, is the bookies’ favourite, and yesterday secured an endorsement from actor Sir Patrick Stewart

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In a video Sir Patrick said: “You may not know this about me, but I was born in West Yorkshire.

“My career has taken me away, I’m in Los Angeles at the moment, but the truth is that at heart, I’m still a West Yorkshire man, which is one reason why I’m so delighted that West Yorkshire is going to have its own metro mayor. And I’m even more delighted that the candidate will be Tracy Brabin.”

Sir Patrick has been a Labour supporter for more than 70 years, but under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership said in an interview that he found it difficult to know what the party stood for.

Ms Brabin said: “It’s amazing to get an endorsement from one of the world’s most famous Yorkshiremen. I’m really grateful that Sir Patrick could take time out to record a message of support and back my campaign.”

Ms Brabin is up against Matt Robinson (Conservative Party), Stewart Golton (Liberal Democrats), Andrew Cooper (Green Party), Bob Buxton (Yorkshire Party), and Therese Hirst (English Democrats).

Related topics:Patrick StewartTracy BrabinWest YorkshireLabour