CANDIDATES for the Mayor of South Yorkshire debated their worthiness for the position - and the value of the position itself - at BBC Radio Sheffield’s studios on Wednesday night in a debate to be broadcast on the radio this morning.
The seven candidates faced questions from host Toby Foster before an audience as they presented arguments for why they should take on the job - a role which still remains unclear in its duties and powers even heading into next week’s vote.
But whoever is elected will have to unite the four South Yorkshire councils of Barnsley, Doncaster, Sheffield and Rotherham in appealing to central government for funding and powers for the region.
Candidates for the role include Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis for Labour, Penistone’s Hannah Kitching for the Liberal Democrats, Mick Bower for the Yorkshire Party, Ian Walker for the Conservatives, Naveen Judah for South Yorkshire Save Our NHS, Rob Murphy for the Green Party and David Allen for the English Democrats.
Mr Jarvis’s candidacy was called into question by the Labour party itself last month when they challenged his ability to be both mayor and remain an MP if successful.
The party later made a u-turn on that stance, but he still had to defend his ability to effectively carry out both jobs.
“Yes I can do both,” he said.
“If you look at members of parliament who serve in the cabinet, if you look at members who chair very significant select committees - this is about having somebody who can do the work locally and regionally to bring the four local authorities together, agree deal draw down on money and powers but also we need a national voice, somebody who can leverage influence in Parliament on our behalf and I think I’m best placed to do that.”
Previously, he has spoken about his intentions to use the role to help develop a wider Yorkshire devolution deal with a Yorkshire mayoral election as soon as 2020.
Part of the debate centred around how communities such as Chesterfield, parts of Derbyshire and more will be included within the Sheffield City Region’s remit but have had no say in the election.
Lib Dem candidate Ms Kitching said she would work to make sure they were not forgotten.
She said: “I live in Penistone and I know people in our community feel forgotten and like they don’t get a fair deal from our council. We have a Sheffield postcode and pay our rates to Barnsley. And I know we are not the only community like that.
“If I’m mayor this will not just be about our cities. Obviously that is where a lot of focus is in terms of economic growth and development matters, but in terms of being a mayor truly for the whole of South Yorkshire - and yes building those bridges out in Derbyshire as well, collaborating with the councils and the council leaders out there too - we want connectivity across the north of England.”
Asked about the meaning of the role, she said: “There is confusion out there, I have been campaigning a lot in Barnsley where people think they voted against this, but when you actually talk to people on the doorstep and describe the opportunities that this can bring about things that really matter to people in terms of businesses, skills and transport they are genuinely excited about it.”
The debate will be broadcast on Radio Sheffield at 9am.
