East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) – New Era of Governance with Claire Ward’s Victory

Monday, 6^th May 2024

In the heart of England, where the rolling hills of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire unfurl, a new chapter in governance has begun with the election of Claire Ward as the inaugural mayor of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA). On the 2nd of May 2024, the people of this storied region cast their ballots, and from the multitude of voices, a consensus emerged: 40% in favour of Ward, a mandate to lead the EMCCA into the future.

The EMCCA, a phoenix rising from the ashes of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act of 2023, represents a bold reimagining of local governance. It is a tapestry woven from the threads of two-tier local government areas, a patchwork of counties and cities, Nottinghamshire, Nottingham, Derbyshire, and Derby, each with its own rich history and identity, now united under a single banner.

This first combined county authority (CCA) is not merely an administrative change; it is a symbol of the shifting tides of power, a move towards greater autonomy and local decision-making. The CCA model eschews the need for consent from district councils within the counties, a departure from the mayoral combined authorities of yore. It is a testament to the evolving landscape of English local governance, where the voices of the counties can echo louder, unencumbered by the layers of bureaucracy that once muffled their cries.

Claire Ward, the architect of this new era, stands at the helm with a vision to steer the EMCCA towards prosperity. Her victory speech was a clarion call to the residents of the East Midlands, a promise of change and a vow to lead a Labour party rejuvenated and responsive to the needs of its constituents. The election results, a mosaic of political leanings, saw Ward triumph with 181,040 votes, a beacon of hope for many who seek a more equitable distribution of resources and opportunities.

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act of 2023, the legislative vessel that made the EMCCA possible, is a cornerstone of the government’s agenda to bridge the gap between the haves and have-nots. It is a blueprint for a future where every corner of the United Kingdom can flourish, where the disparities that have long cast a shadow over the nation are addressed with vigour and purpose.

As the East Midlands embarks on this journey, the eyes of the nation are upon them, watching intently as they navigate the uncharted waters of this new form of governance. The EMCCA, with Claire Ward at its prow, is not just a combined authority; it is a beacon of innovation, a symbol of the potential that lies within the collective will of the people.

The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but also brimming with potential. The EMCCA, a microcosm of the nation’s aspirations, is poised to redefine what it means to be a community, to be a region, to be a part of the grand tapestry that is England. And as the sun sets on the old ways, the dawn of the EMCCA promises a brighter tomorrow, a future forged in the fires of ambition and hope, where every voice is heard, and every dream is within reach.

East Midlands Combined County Authority Mayoral Result

The overall result was as follows:

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Claire Ward	Labour	181,040	40.3%
Ben Bradley	Conservative	129,332	28.8%
Frank Adlington-Stringer	Green	50,666	11.3%
Alan Graves	Reform UK	49,201	10.9%
Matt Relf	Independent	23,359	5.2%
Helen Tamblyn-Saville	Liberal Democrat	15,970	3.6%

The result from the Newark and Sherwood District was:

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Ben Bradley	Conservative	10,515	39%
Claire Ward	Labour	9,451	35%
Alan Graves	Reform UK	2,351	9%
Frank Adlington-Stringer	Green	2,157	8%
Matt Relf	Independent	1,398	5%
Helen Tamblyn-Saville	Liberal Democrat	801	1%

The Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Election Result

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Gary Godden	Labour	14,984	50%
Caroline Henry	Conservative	8,229	28%
David Watts	Liberal Democrat	5,834	20%

CHANGE IS INEVITABLE. CHANGE IS CONSTANT