Meet the New West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker: Here's what he plans to do after winning the election

Richard Parker has clinched the West Midlands mayoral election, in an unexpected turn of events.

The Labour representative managed to dethrone Andy Street, securing a narrow win by a margin of just 1,508 votes, thereby concluding the Conservative’s seven-year reign.

Let’s delve into the background of this relatively unknown politician.

Richard Parker, the newly elected Mayor of West Midlands, is a figure who has risen from an ordinary working-class background to the helm of one of the UK’s most significant metropolitan regions.

His election marks a significant shift in the political landscape of the West Midlands, ending the seven-year tenure of the Conservative incumbent, Andy Street.

Early Life and Career

Born in Bristol to a dock worker father and a school secretary mother, Parker’s journey is a testament to his determination and hard work.

Leaving school at 16, he embarked on a path of self-improvement, putting himself through college and university.

Speaking earlier this year, he said: " I know the realities of working hard to make ends meet. I left school at 16, I was determined to make something of my life.

"I put myself through college and university and I've had a successful career."

Parker’s professional career is marked by his 27-year tenure at PwC, from 1989 to 2016, where he rose to become a partner and the company’s lead on housing and communities. His work at PwC included advising on the establishment of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

After leaving PwC in 2016, Parker launched RP Strategy, a management consultancy specialising in political consultancy work. More recently, he has run a business providing support to small- and medium-sized businesses. His work has reportedly brought £1 billion worth of investment to the region.

Election Victory

Parker’s election as the Mayor of West Midlands was a tightly contested race, with him narrowly defeating Andy Street.

His victory is seen as a significant win for the Labour Party, which had been expecting to lose to Street’s previously formidable campaign.

After his victory, Parker expressed his gratitude, saying, "You have put your trust in me and I will repay that trust. I will deliver for you and your family,"

Priorities as Mayor

As the new Mayor, Parker has outlined several key priorities for his term. These include tackling the cost-of-living crisis, improving housing and transport, and creating more opportunities for people to access skills and education. He stated, "At the core of my Mayoralty will be getting people into well-paid jobs. This will run through everything we do,"

Parker has pledged to work with councils and developers to ensure the construction of new, warmer, affordable homes in the places where they are needed. He has also committed to tackling rogue landlords to drive up standards in the private-rental sector.

Talking about housing, he's said: “Owning a home is a distant dream for too many people and Conservative mismanagement of the economy means that people can’t afford to heat their homes or buy food," also saying that too many people in the region rely on insecure jobs with low pay.

In terms of transport, Parker has expressed a desire to bring buses under public control, viewing them as a crucial component of the region’s economy.

"Buses will help drive our economy taking people to the jobs they need, the skills they want, to the high streets and across communities," he said.

"They get people to the doctors, to school and to see friends. Buses tackle loneliness, help with our environment and will make a huge difference to people in every part of the West Midlands."

The process, known as franchising, would allow the Mayor to control routes, fares and overall standards for buses in the region, decisions currently made by private bus companies. Franchising would mean operators will instead be contracted to run services on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Parker has described the West Midlands buses as 'not reliable enough and too expensive', adding: "For far too long, our buses have been run in the interests of the private companies, not passengers. Last year we saw fares rise, despite promises from the Mayor. The only way to ensure buses are cheap, reliable and serve every single corner of our region is to take control."

Education and employment are other priorities, saying he would guarantee high-quality apprenticeships for every young person that wants one. In April he said one of his first tasks would be to convene a 'taskforce' of employers, businesses, colleges and training providers to attract investment and create the skilled, experienced workforce businesses across the region need to thrive, promising 150,000 new jobs and training opportunities.

Parker said he had lived and worked in the West Midlands all his adult life and had worked in business to provide housing, regeneration and secure investment into the region.

His vision for the West Midlands is one of revitalisation and opportunity. He aims to create a region where everyone can thrive, and no one is left behind. He emphasised, "The opportunities that were open to me when I was starting out just aren’t there for young people today. I’ll fix that because people here can’t afford any more excuses,"