Cambridge city's first mayoral candidate is Labour councillor

Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats say their candidate will vigorously contest the election.

Since the decision to forge a new devolved Combined Authority for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough was made two weeks ago local figures have announced their intention to run for the mayoral position, who will head the new layer of government.

The first contender from Cambridge city is Cllr Kevin Price, deputy leader of the council and executive councillor for housing.

He said: “I have been involved in the devolution discussions right from the very start. I was involved in the three counties talks which were rejected and have been involved in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough talks and was heavily involved in getting the £70 million for the city.

“This is not just about Cambridge. We have done very well from getting a large amount of money for housing in Cambridgeshire.

“I certainly think from the offset housing is one of the priorities, but transport and infrastructure is also vitally important. There’s no point building places that we can’t get people around.

“The role will be about pulling together all the councils and getting them to work together and Cambridge City Council already work closely with South Cambridgeshire District and Huntingdon. I know how that works.

“I just feel that my experience puts me in a better position than everybody else. I think people will benefit from having a mayor that has been involved in discussions from the beginning.

“I would take it as a full time job. It’s not something to tag alongside a full time job that’s already very important.

“I think it’s an important job and it really does need to be treated with respect.”

South Cambridgeshire MP Heidi Allen announced her intention to run on Monday, with intentions to combine the role with her current parliamentary duties.

She also announced her intention to give ‘the majority’ of the mayor’s annual £70,000 allowance to a charitable fund.

Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats yesterday announced their intention to put a candidate forward. Chair Spencer Hagard said: “Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats are in the process of selecting their candidate for the 2017 Mayoral election, which we will contest vigorously.

“The sad fact is that Cambridgeshire has been woefully underfunded by successive Labour and Conservative governments. We believe that these elections are a huge chance for residents to send a strong message to the Government that local people deserve better.

“Recent results in council by elections and the Witney and Richmond Park parliamentary by-elections show that in areas like ours it is clearly the Liberal Democrats who are best placed to take on and beat the Conservatives.”