One of the country's most influential union bosses has thrown his weight behind Jamie Driscoll's bid to become North East mayor.
The general secretary of the RMT, Mick Lynch, was in Sunderland at the launch of Mr Driscoll's campaign to be selected as the Labour candidate for the mayoral election next May.
Mr Lynch, who shot to fame following a series of media appearances throughout his union's ongoing industrial dispute, was among several key union figures to back the current North of Tyne Mayor.
Read more: North East mayor race hots up as Labour hopeful launches campaign with pledge to end unemployment
Speaking at the launch, Mr Lynch said the staunch socialist was best placed to deliver for the region - and backed his ambitious transport plans.
He said: "I'm delighted to be here, because this movement that we're in is about solidarity and standing up for people that are struggling. We have got to stand together so our values are delivered. We have got to run the best campaign we can to get what we believe in delivered.
"Being isolated in your community, not being able to afford transport or having services cut, is a real class issue - because the rich will be alright. Our people need a reliable, safe and affordable system. They need Jamie's policies to come through.
"We need somebody that can cut through all the nonsense of whatever Government is in. The RMT is completely behind Jamie's campaign and we will do what we can to influence our people in the North East.
"You have got the opportunity of a lifetime - let's hear the roar from the North East. I urge everyone to get behind our campaign. Let's change this region and our country."
Mr Driscoll's plans for transport include creating a single ticketing system for the Tyne and Wear Metro, heavy rail and bus services, as well as improving bus access in rural areas. Mr Driscoll also said he would provide free transport for under-18s.
Mr Driscoll himself took to the floor, defending his record and outlining some of his policy aims. He pledged to create "full employment" and a "green new deal", claiming he has already created 5,049 jobs in his current role as North of Tyne mayor.
However, figures from late 2022 showed that the number actually delivered so far was just over 1,000 – with the remainder being in the pipeline.
Asked why he felt he was a better candidate than his Labour opponent, police and crime commissioner Kim McGuinness, he said: "There will be lots of candidates from lots of parties - but there is only one person who has been mayor, has delivered the jobs, and has a plan to get us that total transport system, full employment and a green new deal.
"Every election is won on economic competence, and I'm quite happy to stand on my track record."
With an election due in 2024, Mr Driscoll was also asked how he would deal with future Prime Ministers of either party. He pointed out that when he was elected mayor, Theresa May was Prime Minister, followed by Boris Johnson and the "seven week acid trip that was Liz Truss".
He continued: "Now we have got Rishi, swanning around on his private jet. I've gotten money out of the Government, we've got the best funded devolution deal in the entire country. Others have £38 million, we're getting £48 million.
"My ability to work with a Tory Government is going to be so much easier under a Labour Government."
Mr Driscoll also confirmed he had yet to select a deputy mayor, adding that this role along with the rest of the cabinet would be decided once the mayoral election is completed next May.
Also supporting Mr Driscoll alongside Mick Lynch was Suzanne Reid, the regional organiser for Unite the Union and Joanne Shaftoe of the Communication and Workers Union, as well as Sunderland City Council leader Coun Graeme Miller.
The battle for the Labour nomination between Mr Driscoll and Ms McGuinness will pit the two opposing wings of the party against one another, with Mr Driscoll - who has been described as the “last Corbynista in power" - going up against a close ally of Keir Starmer in the police and crime commissioner.
Coun Miller made reference to this, and commented: "This is going to be us against the machine. it is going to be hard yards.
"We're going to have to ensure that we contact everybody we can and get them to vote for a principled human being who has the best of us at heart. We have got as good a chance as anybody."
The devolution deal, which Michael Gove came to Gateshead to sign in January, includes a £48m-per-year investment fund that has been hailed as the most generous in England. However, it has been criticised by some, including Lib Dem and independent councillors in Northumberland, as “undemocratic” and “dishonest”.
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