Helen Godwin marks 100 days as the West of England Metro Mayor with a clear ambition: “I want to get elected again in four years' time.” After narrowly winning the May election by a three percent margin against Reform UK’s Arron Banks, her victory stands as Labour’s sole metro mayor success in the 2025 local elections, even as Reform UK gained new combined authorities.
Amidst a shifting political landscape where Reform UK surged in national polls, Godwin campaigned on delivering results through alignment with a Labour government, while embracing a distinctively optimistic and hopeful tone. Although she applauds national Labour achievements such as NHS improvements and renters’ rights, she openly criticizes certain policies like the reduction of the winter fuel allowance.
A defining feature of Godwin’s mayoralty is her pragmatic stance on transport—a core responsibility for her role. With £752 million allocated in June for regional transport, she remains “agnostic” regarding whether mass transit takes the form of trams, light rail, or guided buses. Instead, her priority is practical improvements to the existing bus network, which serves as the region’s primary mode of public transport. She’s open to exploring bus franchising or partnerships but insists the end goal is efficient, reliable service.
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Campaigners offer varied transport visions: bus franchising akin to Greater Manchester’s Bee Network, restoration of Bath’s trams, or Bristol Underground ambitions. Godwin’s approach refrains from endorsing any single option, focusing instead on problem-solving rather than ideology. Recognizing the massive funding needed for a full mass transit system, she emphasizes optimizing current infrastructure and delivering tangible results promptly. The West of England Combined Authority plans to unveil a transport vision by autumn.
Beyond transport, Godwin is poised to leverage expanded mayoral powers over planning, including developing a spatial strategy to integrate housing and transport. Responding to a government directive to support the construction of 1.5 million homes nationwide, she acknowledges a housing emergency but remains cautious about blanket decisions to block or approve developments, valuing case-by-case judgment.
Her early tenure highlights successful navigation of funding—partnering with ministers like Lisa Nandy to secure transport investment, £150 million for creative industries, and a £5 million “youth guarantee” program. Additionally, Godwin launched a summer “kids go free” bus travel scheme to promote regional access and empowerment for young people.
Significantly, Godwin has focused on restoring morale and relationships within the combined authority after a turbulent period. Her predecessor Dan Norris’s arrest on serious charges in April cast a shadow, and the authority had previously received a government warning over poor council relations. Godwin has prioritized rebuilding trust with council leaders across party lines, appointing Liberal Democrat Kevin Guy as her deputy mayor with plans for annual role rotation to foster cooperation.
Despite the divided political makeup of the region, with no single party dominating local councils, Godwin advocates inclusivity, stating, “We have to listen to everyone and can’t just make decisions for one group of voters.” She acknowledges concerns over car dependency in places like South Gloucestershire but refrains from dismissing Reform voters, aiming instead to serve a broad electorate.
Her vision embraces balanced progress—improving public transport to ease congestion without vilifying motorists, ensuring accessible housing, creating well-paid jobs, protecting the environment, and preserving cultural vitality. Godwin believes these goals resonate across political divides, promising a future that benefits Reform, Green, Labour, and all residents alike.