Metro mayor ‘I want to be elected again in four years’ time’

One hundred days into being the West of England Metro Mayor, Helen Godwin tells me: “I want to get elected again in four years’ time”.

- John WIMPERIS Local democracy reporter

The former Bristol councillor narrowly beat Reform UK’s Arron Banks by just three per cent of the vote to win the role heading up the West of England Combined Authority in May. It was the only metro mayor race Labour won in the 2025 local elections, with the party losing one combined authority to the Conservatives and two new ones being won by Reform UK.

Nigel Farage’s party had overtaken Labour in the national polls shortly before the elections. With polls finding the Labour government increasingly unpopular, it is a position they have maintained. Throughout the local election campaign, Ms Godwin's message had been that a Labour mayor working with a Labour government could deliver for the area.

Sitting down to speak to the Local Democracy Reporting Service about her first 100 days in the position, she said that she is proving this is true - but added that she has also tried to do things “slightly differently” to Keir Starmer's Labour government.

While keen to highlight reductions in NHS waiting lists, employment rights, and the renters’ rights bill as achievements of Labour in government, she said that the cut to the winter fuel allowance was “not the right thing to do.”

She told me: “The government didn’t appreciate that people wanted to see hope and see some positivity in terms of what's coming and - for me - I think it’s quite naturally in my character anyway to be quite optimistic and upbeat.”

While she may be aiming for a different tone, one thing she had in common with Mr Starmer became clear throughout our conversation. The Prime Minister has tried to make his image that of a pragmatist: someone not bound to a vision who is prepared to do whatever works.

When it comes to transport - the central part of the metro mayor role - that is Helen Godwin’s approach too.