Conservatives name their candidate for next year's Greater Lincolnshire mayoral election

                                                      

Tory choice - Rob Waltham 

THE Conservatives have named their candidates for next spring's Greater Lincolnshire mayoral election.

Brigg-based Rob Waltham MBE, who is currently leader of North Lincolnshire Council, was given the nod  at the selection meeting held yesterday at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln.

He has seen off the challenge of  three former Tory MPs who lost their seats at the last General Election and a serving Lincolnshire county councillor.

The selection felt his understanding of the mechanics of local government - along with his  longstanding acquaintance with other decision-makers - could be advantageous if he succeeds in next May's poll.

The Conservatives'  unsuccessful mayoral hopefuls were: 

* Ben Bradley - former MP for Mansfield 

* Hugo Marfleet, representative for Louth Wolds on Lincolnshire County Council

* Karl McCartney, former MP for Lincoln

*  Matt Warman, former MP for Boston & Skegness

Labour and Reform UK have already named their candidates -  Jason Stockwood and Dame Andrea Jenkyns respectively.

The Lib-Dems maintain they will be fielding a candidate but so far no one has been named.

It is possible that the Green Party and one or more independents might throw their hat into the ring. 

It is hoped that having a Greater Lincolnshire mayor will stimulate greater partnership between different local authorities and spark more Whitehall investment in infrastructure and job-creation projects.

But there are no guarantees. In the days of Humberside County Council, there was resentment that the city of Hull seemed to be beneficiary of most of the spoils.

The new post will also involve the creation of a secretariat, possibly to be based in Lincoln, which may have to be paid for by a supplementary council tax levy.