Liam Byrne named Labour candidate for West Midlands Mayoral vote
Former Labour frontbencher Liam Byrne will take on Andy Street in the West Midlands Mayoral election after winning the race to become the party's candidate.
The Birmingham MP saw off competition from left-wing opponents Pete Loweand Salma Yaqoob to be named Labour's candidate for Mayor.
Mr Byrne took 56.5 per cent of the vote after second preference votes were added, with Mr Lowe behind on 43.5 per cent.
The winner received 3,105 first preference votes, while Mr Lowe got 2,034 and Ms Yaqoob 1,809
His victory sets up a three-month showdown between Mr Byrne and current Conservative Mayor Andy Street, who is bidding for re-election.
The pair have already clashed over the performance of West Midlands Trains.
It means disappointment for union-backed former Dudley Council leader Mr Lowe, who ran on a socialist ticket.
Mr Byrne, who served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury under Gordon Brown and infamously left a note for the incoming Coalition Government saying there was no money left, has vowed to lead a "radical mission to change our region for good" should he be victorious in May's vote.
He said: "This is the first election since Brexit. The first election in a new, uncertain world. We need strong leadership to build a bold new future for our region.
“With the pioneering spirit of our history, we must now become the centre of Britain's Green Industrial Revolution.
"We were once the workshop of the world. Now we must become the workshop of a green planet. Becoming Britain's first zero carbon city region and bringing to our region the green manufacturing jobs of the future, low cost solar energy for our citizens, new forests and clean air.
“If we're to end the shame of homelessness we need nothing short of a green home building revolution. To end rough sleeping and to give young families their first foot on the housing ladder.
"Above all what I've learned as the MP for one of Britain's most diverse communities is that we'll achieve nothing unless we pull together as good neighbours."
Mr Byrne hit out at rival Mr Street, who he said had "broken every major promise he made".
He added: “Knife crime is at an all-time high.
“Congestion is worse and the disaster that is West Midlands Trains has been given a green light to carry on.
“We simply cannot go on like this."
