Liverpool city mayor: Liberal Democrat candidate will 'scrap role'

The Liberal Democrat candidate to be Liverpool's city mayor has said he would scrap the role "within ten minutes of being elected".

City council opposition leader Richard Kemp said he would "change the title of elected mayor to elected leader" and "halve the salary".

He added that he had already "tried to get rid of it five times".

The city mayor election, which was postponed in 2020 because of the pandemic, will take place on 6 May.

The previous mayor Joe Anderson stood aside due to an ongoing police investigation.

Mr Kemp leads the opposition on Liverpool City Council, which the Liberal Democrats ran for over a decade until 2010 when Labour took over.

The national party's coalition with the Conservatives saw its number of local councillors in cut to four, though Mr Kemp now leads a group of 10 in opposition to Labour's 68.

He said he believed a recent damning report into aspects of the Labour administration's operations would see voters reject them at the ballot box.

Mr Kemp said his third attempt to become mayor might at last succeed, though he would scrap the role if he could.

"I've tried to get rid of it five times," he said.

"I haven't been able to do it from outside, so I will try and get it done from inside.

"Within ten minutes of being elected, I will change the title of elected mayor to elected leader [and] I will halve the salary."

He added that he would also "bring in proper scrutiny of the mayor and bring in an all-party cabinet".

The other confirmed candidates for the election are (listed alphabetically):

ENGLAND'S ELECTIONS: THE BASICS

What's happening? On 6 May, people across England will vote for new councillors, mayors and police and crime commissioners.

Why does it matter? When parties win control of a council, they decide policies for your area which could affect services ranging from social care to rubbish collection. Find out more about what councils do.

Who can vote? Anyone who lives in England, is registered to vote and aged 18 or over on 6 May is eligible. Find your local election here.

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