Labour has selected Cllr Anna Smith as their candidate for Mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority. Her selection was confirmed last night. Cllr Smith is a Cambridge city councillor, a former city council leader, and currently deputy Mayor of the Combined Authority and was chosen as the party’s candidate after Mayor Dr Nik Johnson announced he would not be seeking a second term.
It is going to be a tough battle for Labour after Mayor Johnson’s surprise victory in 2021, narrowly defeating outgoing Mayor James Palmer.
The voting system of first past the post is restored for the 2025 election which will prove a seismic, but not impossible, challenge for Cllr Smith, a well-known figure in Cambridgeshire after her bid to become the county’s police and crime commissioner in 2024.
Darryl Preston, a retired police officer, won with 61,880 votes (38 per cent) with Cllr Smith a close second with 58,304 votes (36 per cent).
The turnout for the police and crime commissioner election was just over 25 per cent, but the Mayoralty election, coinciding with county council elections, will be much higher.
Cllr Anna Smith, the CPCA Deputy Mayor and Lead Member for Transport, with county councillor Neil Shailer in March as the Broad Street regeneration completesWith Labour unpopular in the opinion polls, despite their landslide general election victory, Cllr Smith has her work cut out.
However, the outcome could be influenced not so much by a third candidate, Lib Dem Cllr Lorna Dupre, but if a fourth if Reform opt to stand. The party, under Nigel Farage, has considerable support in parts of Cambridgeshire such as Fenland where Conservatives have held sway for many years.
Many recall the 2013 county elections when UKIP achieved local successes in Cambridgeshire, notably in Fenland, by ousting in some instances long serving Conservative councillors.
Deputy Mayor Cllr Anna Smith meets one of the vets in March for the Broad Street ceremonyBut back to 2025 and Cllr Smith is preparing to hit the ground running and will be supportive of outgoing Mayor Nik Johnson’s policies, particularly in relation to the historic vote recently in favour of bus franchising for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
“Rarely have I been prouder to share a post and to be able to say ‘we are bringing our buses back under public control’” Cllr Smith posted just days ago..
“This starts us on a journey where we can create a better bus network, run for the public good and by a single body, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority.
“I know from hundreds of conversations I’ve had that people want more reliable buses, more routes, tickets that allow you to change buses, and so much more.
Cllr Anna Smith Picture by Terry Harris.“Franchising won’t bring those changes overnight, but it unlocks the power to do that, making a Tiger Network a reality.”
Ironically if she were to win, one item on the forthcoming agenda might include combining both roles of Mayor and police and crime commissioner, as has been done in other parts of the country.
But all of that is for the future and with only just over 2 months to the May elections, Cllr Smith will require all her campaigning zeal and energy to persuade voters – particularly the undecided – that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is better in Labour’s hands than returning to Conservative control.
BACKGROUND
Cllr. Anna Smith is the deputy mayor Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with responsibility for transport. She recently oversaw the introduction of the successful Tiger Bus pass for under 25s across the combined authority. Anna is also a current councillor in, and former leader of, Cambridge City Council.
Anna has lived and worked in Cambridge since 1995. She is a former teacher at Hills Road Sixth Form College where she led in providing pastoral support and guidance for students.
Cllr Smith said: “I am delighted to be selected as Labour’s candidate for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor. I am proud to call this region my home. I’ve lived and worked in Cambridge for 30 years as a teacher, senior leader, and local councillor. I now work in Peterborough.
Mayor Dr Nik Johnson and (centre) with Cllr Anna Smith, deputy mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority at the opening of Chatteris museum.“I’m standing in this election to deliver change across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire.
“As council leader in Cambridge, I led our council homes programme, which is about to complete its 1000th home.
“I am also currently deputy mayor for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough where I have responsibility for transport. I am incredibly proud of what Labour has achieved in our region over the past four years. I am particularly proud of taking back public control of our buses, alongside Dr. Nik Johnson. And of creating the Tiger Bus Pass – delivering £1 fares to under 25s across our region.
Mayor Dr Nik Johnson with his deputy Cllr Anna Smith launch the expanded ‘Tiger on Demand’ bus service in Fenland.“I know the past few years have been tough for everyone. That’s why I have a plan to drive growth and create opportunities for everyone in our region.
“My number one priority will be ensuring there are secure, well-paid jobs available in every part of our region. And I’ll build the transport links, homes, and services to go with them. I’ll make sure that everyone has access to the training they need. I’ll make Cambridgeshire and Peterborough a place where you can have a career, not just a job.
“This is an exciting time for local government, with our new Labour Government empowering mayors across the country. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough deserve a mayor who will work with the government to ensure we get the best deal. As your Labour mayor I will deliver for you.”
