A Connected Vision for the Future
As your Labour candidate for East Midlands Mayor, I see a future where our communities are more connected, our economy is thriving, where every person has the opportunity to succeed and a region that leads the way in innovation, sustainability, and cultural richness.
Together, we can build a future that offers better jobs, affordable homes, and a healthier environment for all. It’s about more than just policies; it’s about building a future for our children, supporting our businesses to innovate and grow, and ensuring everyone has the chance to live a fulfilling life. As Mayor I will be dedicated to make this a reality.
To achieve this, our actions must be purposeful, connected and see the bigger picture. We’ll need to work together, cross political divides, explore new ideas and put in the effort.
These visions aren’t just dreams; they’re my commitments to you and to our future. With your support, we can make the East Midlands a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Vote for me, Claire Ward, and let’s build a brighter future together.
Get a grip of our roads, buses and trains
I will deliver bus, rail and roads to make travelling easier and cheaper.
Invest in quality road resurfacing and work with councils to fill those potholes.
Work with bus companies to increase services and routes. If no progress is made we will take them back into public control.
Introduce integrated ticketing, tap-and-go and fare caps across the region.
Support active travel to get more people walking and cycling.
Roll out more charging points to encourage better EV car use.
Support our local economy and back our high streets
I will support local business and secure investment to back our high streets.
Bring more investment to our region and support our green industry growth.
Revitalise our high streets and towns through a Community Development Fund.
Invest in childcare, helping working parents get back to work.
Commit to buying products or services within our region where possible.
Build the homes we need
I will build the affordable homes people need and tackle homelessness.
Build more homes on unused industrial land in our cities and communities.
Set up the Mayor’s Homelessness Task force, to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness.
Insist on energy efficient, carbon neutral developments.
Bring hundreds of empty properties back into use and unlock new land for homes.
Champion housing schemes that support our most vulnerable and our veterans.
Launch ‘Visit East Midlands’ to put our region on the map
I will work to boost tourism and celebrate our region’s heritage as part of a new cultural strategy.
Support our local and professional sports to encourage more visitors to our region.
Lead a new approach to our cultural and creative economy to make the most of our talent.
Work with businesses to invest in new accommodation to meet our growing number of visitors.
Support a safe and exciting night time economy, working with our police and crime commissioners.
Deliver more jobs and better skills
I will deliver apprenticeships for young people and make sure everyone can get the skills they need.
Work with colleges and providers to get the best courses that deliver the right skills for our region.
Invest in digital skills across the community, to help people get better access to work and services.
Establish a Green Growth Fund to support the skills needed for retrofitting and access to new green technology
Set up a Good Employment Charter to recognise businesses that have the best employment practices.
Work for a greener East Midlands and a just transition
I will ensure we rise to meet the challenge of net zero and a sustainable future.
Review all our actions to see how they can help us achieve net zero.
Establish a Mayor’s Taskforce to support nature and biodiversity as a key part of our region.
Campaign for all new suitable industrial buildings and homes to have solar panels and be energy efficient.
Support a just transition so no one is left behind as we move to a more sustainable life.
Encourage more walking and cycling as a green transport alternative.