Karl McCartney said:
“Our Party, the Conservative Party, has begun the process to select a Candidate for the Greater Lincolnshire Mayor to be elected in May 2025 - following the Labour Government’s confirmation of the local government devolution deal agreed by the two Northern Lincolnshire Unitary Authorities and Lincolnshire County Councils. I have let CCHQ and those managing the process know that I am intending to apply to be our local Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Candidate ahead of the election in May 2025.
“Should I be successfully chosen as the Conservative Candidate, I would campaign the length and breadth of our County alongside my County Council Candidate colleagues through to May next year. As the Mayor, I could build on my extensive links with local and national government, businesses and third sector bodies, and replicate my proven track record in delivering a range of benefits for Lincoln and Lincolnshire over the last 14+years. My plans for future prosperity, economic growth and transport infrastructure improvements for Greater Lincolnshire, will be a positive reason for the diverse electorate across our historic County to once again support Conservative Candidates.
“Even those voters who maybe are reluctant to consider voting Conservative, I would hope might have an open mind as I positively make the case for my Candidature. Starting from today I shall be putting forward my plans for the future of Greater Lincolnshire and the exciting opportunity this Mayoral role offers, as I seek selection as our Candidate for next May. I would bring my 20 years’ experience of ‘Putting Lincoln and Lincolnshire First’ to this new important role in both Local and National politics.
“I have a vision for Lincolnshire’s future growth, including economic, housing, energy and transport infrastructure provision improvements, which could and will empower our future, utilising strategic investments to achieve our collective aims, enabled by the role of Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire working in collaboration with the various councils across the Greater Lincolnshire area. I will bring my considerable business experience in various roles, plus knowledge from my MBA and current PhD studying Agri-tech’s role in supply chains, along with my cross-party political skills, to ensure this role successfully delivers tangible benefits for all the people across Greater Lincolnshire.
“There is a potential for Lincolnshire to be at the forefront of various sectors in the UK with the new Greater Lincolnshire Mayor leading on the following:
A Green Energy Hub and Lincolnshire Energy Commission - promoting a Clean Energy Corridor from Grimsby through Boston to Spalding, creating jobs and opportunities
A rural homes for families initiative providing better planning processes and sustainable homes in places they are needed and a Town Revitalisation Fund
Transport improvements including A15 and A16 improvements plus a Rural Mobility Partnership to improve Public Transport links and maybe install ‘on demand’ bus services in rural areas to reduce and alleviate isolation
A Lincolnshire Agri-tech hub to enable our County to become a national leader in agricultural innovation, based in Holbeach and Riseholme, supporting our farmers to boost productivity and sustainability, and positioning Lincolnshire at the forefront of sustainable food production
Growing our County’s economy is a priority but we must match that growth with an adaptable, skilled workforce - a ‘Skills for Lincolnshire Programme’could help with this augmented by a Business Start-Up and Growth Fund
Expanding the already successfully Defence Hub, created by Greater Lincolnshire LEP, with a Defence and High Tech Hub of Innovation.”
ENDS -
