Reform UK’s Luke Campbell elected Hull and East Yorkshire mayor

Reform UK’s Luke Campbell has been elected as the first mayor for Hull and East Yorkshire.

The former boxer and Olympic gold medallist was among six candidates running to become the new mayor when voting took place on Thursday.

Campbell received 78,398 votes, ahead of Liberal Democrat Mike Ross, who came second with 57,851 votes.

He will represent more than 610,000 people who live in the region.

In his victory speech, Campbell thanked voters for turning out for the election and said he was “truly humbled and honoured” to be elected.

He also called for unity and said he would “work hard to earn the trust of the wider region”.

Conservative Anne Handley came third ahead of Labour’s Margaret Pinder, with Kerry Harrison, for the Green Party, in fifth, and Rowan Halstead, of the Yorkshire Party, in sixth.

The turnout in East Yorkshire was 32.1% and in Hull 26.4%. The result was announced at the East Riding Leisure Centre Haltemprice.

Richard Tice MP, the deputy leader of Reform UK, said Campbell would be a “great mayor” for the region.

He said: “He’ll have a commonsense approach to bringing people together and have a bullish vision for Hull and East Yorkshire.

“The sport of boxing requires courage, tenacity, bravery which Luke has in huge abundance.

“He will rise to the challenge, he’ll have good people around him and he’ll be very successful.”

As head of the combined authority, Campbell will serve for four years in the role, where he will make decisions on housing, public transport, infrastructure, economic development, business, skills and regeneration.

He will serve as a direct link to Westminster and act as a political figurehead who can lobby the government for funding and secure investment for the region.

The position was established after a devolution deal was approved by government in September for the creation of the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority, which brings together Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

The combined authority will receive £13.4m a year from the government for the next 30 years.

Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council will retain their independence and continue their work as normal, alongside the combined authority.

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