What is the East Midlands Devolved Authority? (EMDA)
What is the East Midlands Devolved Authority? (EMDA)
Introducing the exciting new East Midlands Devolved Authority! It's a brand-new level of local government covering Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Derbyshire, backed by a whopping £1.14 billion from the government over 30 years. Think of it as local power with a London boost! This means more control than your regular city council, especially in:
- Building homes and revamping land
- Pumping money into training and adult education
- Sorting out transport headaches, from buses to trains to roads
- Keeping the region healthy
All with the main goal of lifting one of the UK's poorest areas. Leading the charge is a brand-new mayor, set to be elected on May 2nd. With no other elected positions, this mayor holds the keys to the budget and will work closely with existing councils. They're crucial for setting the tone and direction of the EMDA and how it operates.
We’ve asked each of the 6 candidates standing to send us a few words on why they think the Mayoral Authority is relevant to students and what their plans are for the role:
Frank Adlington-Stringer (Green)
I’m 26 years old, I don’t own a home or a car. My friends, like many of us who graduated in Nottingham, are forced to find work outside of the East Midlands. Our region had the least public investment nationally last year and is 14% less productive than the national average. I am fed up seeing our communities destroyed by the Tories and am not convinced that Labour will deliver the change required, that is why I’m going to do something about it. I was born in Chesterfield, raised in Derby, educated in Nottingham, and am now making a difference as the first ever elected Green in North East Derbyshire. I have a plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. I will revive our manufacturing industry sustainably, introduce citizens assemblies, end homelessness, tackle period poverty, provide safe spaces for LBTIQA+ people, call for a ceasefire, and so much more!
Ben Bradley (Conservative)
If elected I will use the £4bn to fix our roads, improve our public transport, and bring in major investment that creates jobs and regenerates our high streets.
For students in Nottingham, that means creating jobs in exciting sectors for when you graduate. It means investment in the City, reviving the high street where things have been going the wrong way. It means delivering appropriate and affordable housing, supporting your aspirations to own a home here in the future, and much more.
Mayors around the country work for their local area, not for political parties. It’s vital we choose the right person, with the proper experience to do the job. I studied at NTU, and I worked at UoN on campus too. I'm the only candidate who has worked on both our transport services and our biggest regional investment projects. I believe this experience makes me best placed to get really good outcomes.
Alan Graves (Reform)
This new political position is another red herring on the political landscape and a complete dereliction of the Government’s duties towards its citizens.
Whether it is the Conservative Party or the Labour Party the collaboration between them to gerrymander this new layer of politician is typical of the greed of mainstream political parties.
Nobody asked the people of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire whether they wanted this position, in fact, Derby City Council prevented me from raising the issue of a referendum on this important matter.
Instead, they all voted to put these decisions into one person’s hands. That is not devolution or levelling up, it is a dictatorship.
I am standing on a platform that gives people a voice to reject this idea of an extra imposed political post. If elected it will show the government and those political parties who advocate this that, you the people should be heard.
Matt Relf (Independent)
The new mayor will be responsible for overhauling the transport network, housing strategy, business support and investment, and the adult skills strategy for the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire; all areas that directly affect students in their current and future lives.
I will deliver a truly integrated transport network with seamless ticketing to make adopting and using sustainable public transport an easy choice.
I will deliver a housing strategy that builds the right homes that our changing population needs that are affordable to run and kind to our planet, with affordable starter homes to those stepping onto the housing ladder.
I will deliver a consolidated businesses support service for those seeking support and investment, that promotes greater bridges with universities for more R&D and more graduate roles.
I will overhaul how adult education works so everyone can continue a journey of lifelong learning.
I will promote what a fantastic place this is to live, work, study, play and visit.
Helen Tamblyn-Saville (Liberal Democrat)
Liberal Democrats believe in change from grassroots up, not by grandstanding from the top.
My priorities include improved transport links that are affordable and accessible to all, with simplified ticketing. People need to be able to afford to get to work and education.
We affordable housing, and much needed social housing to be built. Brownfield land is important in achieving this, and new homes should be built to high standards to help meet net zero goals.
No major decisions should be made in the region without considering the environmental impact. Young people are impacted by the changing climate more than anyone. That’s why I would declare a climate emergency, launching a climate and sustainability forum. I’ll ensure group up collaboration across the region, not top-down dictation, being a true Mayor for the people.
Claire Ward (Labour)
We have the power on to help make our region the best place to live, work and learn. The new East Midlands Mayor will have the budget and the power to make real changes.
With £4 billion to spend on transport, jobs, skills and growing our local economy, it is an incredible opportunity to give us a stronger voice, more influence and help improve people’s lives.
I am passionate about where we live and making sure we have the best possible mayor. As mayor, I will get things done. I have lived here for over a decade and run a successful business. I lead an award winning NHS trust that’s been named ‘the best in the Midlands’ and I served as a government minister.
My plan for the East Midlands will improve people’s lives and help make our region the best place to live, work, and learn.
Find out more…
If you’d like to hear more from each of the candidates Notts TV televised a hustings on Friday evening, hosted by NTU at Confetti X! Click here to watch
How to Vote:
On May 2nd, head to your local polling station between 7am and 10pm. Bring photo ID, get your ballot paper with candidate names, mark an "X" next to your choice, and follow the instructions provided.
Polling Stations:
To find your local polling station, use one of the tools below:
Elsewhere
Voters in other areas may be able to find their polling station (or the information for their local council) on: Click Here
Voter ID
If you don’t have any valid ID, the National Union of Students’ has partnered up with CitizenCard to offer free ID (which also acts as Proof of Age): Click Here
