This election was the first to use first-past-the-post to elect the mayor as a result of the changes made by the Elections Act 2022, with the previous elections in 2017 and 2021 using the supplementary vote system. Voters were able to vote for a single candidate, and the candidate who received the most votes will be elected mayor.[5]
All registered electors living in the Liverpool City Region aged 18 or over on 2 May 2024 were entitled to vote in the mayoral election. Those who are temporarily away from the Liverpool City Region (for example, away working, on holiday, in student accommodation or in hospital) were also entitled to vote in the mayoral election. The deadline to register to vote in the election was 16 April 2024.[6]
Campaign
Rotheram, the incumbent Labour mayor, said that if re-elected he would build three new Merseyrail stations across the region by 2030, in Woodchurch, Carr Mill and Daresbury.[7]
Green Party candidate Tom Crone's priorities include "an expanded home insulation program that will save people money on their bills lifting many out of fuel poverty. Training in the green jobs of the future so people are ready to be part of the transition to net zero. And a properly joined up public transport and active travel network making travel easier and cleaner around the city region."[8]
Rob McAllister-Bell, the Liberal Democrats candidate, said he would introduce contactless payment across public transport in the region by 2026. He also promised to give elected politicians more power on the combined authority.[9]
Independent candidate, Ian Smith is an independent councillor in Merseyside. He said he wants the region to be "united, ambitious, egalitarian and environmentally sensitive" and wants inclusivity to be a priority. He set out his vision for the region to focus on innovation and science, and to update the transport network.[10] He also stated his desire to end rough sleeping.[11]
Candidates
Labour
Steve Rotheram, who has served as mayor of the Liverpool City Region since the inaugural election in 2017, and previously served as Member of Parliament for Liverpool, Walton, stood for re-election.[12]
Conservatives
The Conservative Party re-opened their selection in January 2024 after receiving a single application, from the party's 2021 candidate Jade Marsden. The local party chair sought more candidates given "strong and widespread opposition to Jade Marsden standing for the LCRMM role again given her past performance as a candidate".[13] Marsden was later confirmed as the party's candidate.[14]
Green Party
Tom Crone, leader of Liverpool Green Party, councilor for St Michael's, and previous mayoral candidate, stood for the Greens.[15]
Liberal Democrats
Rob McAllister-Bell, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Liverpool City Council, was announced as the Liberal Democrat candidate in March 2024.[14]
Independent
Ian Smith stood as an independent candidate. He self-describes as a socialist and campaigns for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel–Gaza war.[16]
