Conservative Andy Street Is Re-Elected As West Midlands Mayor After A Tight Race
1 min read
Conservative Andy Street has been re-elected as West Midlands mayor for a second term, though without the significant Tory surge seen on Teesside.
The former John Lewis managing director was elected after second preference votes were counted with 54 percent of the vote (314, 669 votes), compared to Labour's 46 percent ( 267,626).
In a short speech, Labour's candidate Liam Byrne, a former chief secretary to the Treasury, said he the defeat was his responsibility but urged activists not to lose faith.
Street's win consolidates his position in the region, though he was far from making the gains seen by his equivalent in Teesside, Tory mayor of the Tees Valley who was re-elected on the first round with 75 percent of the vote.
Compared to Street's win in 2017, he only only won four percent more of the vote this time around.
The ex-businessman said he would be knocking on Downing Street's door to make sure the West Midlands is given the investment he believes it deserves, to help it bounce back after Covid.
He said: "Remember we've got the support of a government and Prime Minister who firmly believe in levelling up."
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