People urged to head to the polls tomorrow

Voters in the West Midlands are being encouraged to head to the polls and exercise their democratic right in the second West Midlands Mayoral election, taking place tomorrow.

The first West Midlands Mayoral election took place in 2017, where Conservative candidate Andy Street was elected as the region 's first mayor.

Turnout for that election was 26.7 per cent.

This year 's election, due to take place last year but was postponed due to the pandemic, includes five candidates vying to be elected Mayor of the West Midlands, including incumbent mayor Andy Street.

Candidates are:

Liam Byrne (Labour)

Steve Caudwell (Green)

Pete Durnell (Reform UK)

Andy Street (Conservative)

Jenny Wilkinson (Liberal Democrats)

Electors in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall local authority areas can vote in the West Midlands Mayoral election.

As well as the Mayoral election, registered electors are voting in local and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

Polling opens at 7am until 10pm.

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said that the results of this election will set the course for Greater Birmingham, as it emerges from the Covid health crisis.

She said: “Whatever your thinking about doing tomorrow, make sure you use your vote in local elections across the region and the West Midlands Mayoral election in the metropolitan authority areas.

“These elections will set the course for Greater Birmingham as we emerge for the pandemic and redefine our place on the national and global stage.

“The mayor is a critically important role and a good turnout will be essential for giving the a clear mandate. Ahead of the election the Chamber, as an a-political organisation, has been raising awareness of all candidates ' policies and advocating on our members ' behalf through our manifesto.

“Securing foreign direct investment, enabling business growth and ensuring we get our fair share of funding from the Treasury will no doubt figure highly on the mayor 's agenda and we need a leader that can also bring stakeholders together to tackle the big issues of the day.

“So make sure you use this golden opportunity to vote and play an active part in shaping the prospects of this great region for years to come. ”

For Birmingham residents, information regarding polling stations can be found via the Birmingham City Council website.

For Coventry, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton residents you can use the Democracy Club postcode checker.

Dudley residents should contact the Electoral Services Office.

For more information on the candidates and their manifestos, visit our dedicated election page here