'Putting politics aside' Labour Weca Mayor appoints Lib Dem as deputy

THE new Labour West of England Mayor Helen Godwin has appointed the Liberal Democrat leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council as her first deputy mayor.

- John WIMPERIS

The position of West of England Deputy Mayor had not been used since 2021 but now will rotate annually between the leaders of the three councils which make up the West of England.

Mr Guy said he was “honoured” to be asked to take up the role.

Ms Godwin was sworn in as the new West of England Mayor yesterday, after narrowly beating Reform UK’s Arron Banks in the election last week. Ms Godwin said: “I meant what I said during the election campaign. To get the best for all of us in the West Country, politicians must put politics to one side. That's how we'll lay the Bristol to Portishead Line, build new affordable homes, and help create the jobs of the future.

“Together, working with the Labour government, we will get things moving in the West of England. In that spirit of renewed collaboration, I’m delighted to appoint councillor Kevin Guy to serve as my first deputy mayor.