A former MEP has promised to make the North East the greenest area in England if he becomes the region’s mayor.
Paul Brannen has told Labour Party members that there is “no bigger threat, no bigger opportunity” than the climate breakdown. Mr Brannen is one of two candidates on a final shortlist of hopefuls vying to secure Labour’s nomination for the North East mayoral election next year, though Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness is the heavy favourite.
The selection contest has been dominated by a war of words over the exclusion of the left wing North of Tyne mayor, Jamie Driscoll, which unions last week branded a “monumental own goal” for Sir Keir Starmer. Having waited until he made the shortlist before outlining his vision for the mayoral jobs, which will cover County Durham, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland, Mr Brannen has made a series of “green revolution” pledges.
Read More: Kim McGuinness plans £1-per-night tourist tax for North East if she becomes region's new mayor
He has promised to make the North East a “world leader” for green industry jobs, set up a regional renewable energy company to cut local electricity bills, and build better-insulated new homes. In an email to Labour members, Mr Brannen said: “The world once came to the North East of England to buy a part of the industrial revolution. The opportunity is there for them to come again but this time to buy into the green revolution.
“Using the hard and soft powers of the office of mayor I will seek to transform the North East into the greenest English region, providing full employment via a rapid growth in a wide range of green jobs. At the same time we can make our region the best place to study, work, retire and live in Britain.”
Mr Brannen was one of the North East’s representatives in the European Parliament from 2014 to 2019 and currently works as director of public affairs for the European and UK woodworking and sawmill industries.
Like his opponent in the Labour selection contest, he was previously a city councillor in Newcastle. The 60-year-old has also worked for Christian Aid and the Anti-Apartheid Movement.
His aim of securing full employment in the region echoes a pledge that Mr Driscoll made before his campaign was curtailed. Sir Keir has come under pressure to reinstate Mr Driscoll, who alongside Ms McGuinness was considered a leading contender in the race, from several trade unions and fellow northern mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram.
Party sources have blamed his exclusion on an appearance on stage with film director Ken Loach, who was expelled from the Labour Party in 2021, but critics have accused the party leadership of "factionalism". The winner of the Labour Party nomination is expected to be announced next month.
