Tees Valley Mayor election: Who is Simon Thorley?
Voters will elect the Tees Valley Mayor on 2 May, to represent about 670,000 people across five local authorities: Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees.
The mayor has devolved powers and funding to make local decisions, including on: economic development, transport, skills and adult training, regeneration, culture and tourism.
The role was created in 2017 and is currently held by Conservative Ben Houchen, who was re-elected in May 2021.
Simon Thorley is the Liberal Democrat candidate
He also currently runs an international language training business. Mr Thorley, 38, was born in Darlington and lived in Taiwan for several years, studying Mandarin and teaching English. He returned to Darlington in 2020, living with his wife and two children and running for the Liberal Democrats in the UK Parliamentary election.
His top priority is tackling poverty
He says he will particularity focus on alleviating child poverty which is at "scandalously high levels throughout the region".
He wants to benefit 'ordinary people's lives day to day'
Mr Thorley says he will invest in public transport, expand availability and ease of access to education funding and introduce a range of "direct anti-poverty measures" through a new Early Years Support Programme.
He is 'honest'
When we asked what makes him the best person for the job, Mr Thorley said: "I am not afraid to tell people the truth about the challenges facing our region, or how we can address them together."
He loves the people of the Tees Valley
"Having lived away and moved back, I can say without hesitation that the best thing about the Tees Valley is the warm, welcoming and friendly people," he said, adding: "I've never experienced anything like it elsewhere."
