Cheshire PCC wants to become county's first mayor

Cheshire's police and crime commissioner (PCC) has told the BBC he would "relish" the chance to become the county's first mayor.

Labour's Dan Price was elected as PCC in May 2024 but the government has decided to scrap the roles in England and Wales by 2028.

All three councils in Cheshire have backed plans to create a new combined authority - the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority - which will be overseen by a directly elected mayor.

The first mayoral election was originally intended for May 2026, but has been pushed back by a year.

Price told the BBC's Politics North West programme: "The selection process for the Labour Party is now open.

"It won't be a surprise to some that I will be putting myself forward as I have absolutely loved being the county's police and crime commissioner and I will continue to do that until May 2028.

"But if I can continue to serve the people of Cheshire, I would relish the opportunity."

Price said that, were he to be elected mayor, it would be no problem for him to combine both jobs until the PCC role is axed.

"I think you would have to [fo that] in the same way that Andy Burnham did in Greater Manchester.

"It would be exactly like that. I have a very good deputy.

"I think that is the way that we would make that work."

Price praised party colleague Burnham's track record.

He said: "The government has set out very clearly the direction of travel with devolution.

"It does want more of Greater Manchester's model across the country.

"It does work... after 10 years, it is the fastest growing part of the country.

"We want to see that across the rest of the North West."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]