Lib Dems announce Mike Ross as Hull and East Riding Mayor candidate

The Liberal Democrats have today announced Cllr Mike Ross, Liberal Democrat Leader of Hull City Council, as their candidate for the Hull and East Riding Mayoral election, taking place in May 2025. 

With the largest number of councillors across the region and the highest combined popular vote share at the last local elections, the Party are already seen by many as favourites to win the Mayoral election.  

This would be the first Metro Mayor for the party, coming after stunning success in the July general election, where the party elected 72 MPs.

Mike moved to Hull in 2000 to attend the University and has lived here ever since - he now lives in North Hull with his family.

As Leader of the Council, Mike is ready to hit the ground running, with the experience necessary to lead the campaign and to be the Mayor from day one.

Mike was the Council Leader who spearheaded this deal, which will deliver billions of pounds of investment for our area for years to come. Mike has over 20 years of experience in local government, from setting up a pothole-filling team 15 years ago to launching a multi-million-pound Crime Prevention Fund in 2022. Mike is the only candidate with the energy and experience to deliver the opportunities devolution brings. 

Mike has also delivered real action to tackle the cost of living, under his Leadership the Lib Dems delivered a £300,000 investment to support pensioners who lost out on the Winter Fuel Payments, supported thousands of school children with free school meals and supported foodbanks and warm zones for vulnerable people. 

At this election, Mike’s top priorities are: 

• Action to grow the region's economy and tackle the cost of living crisis
• Securing massive investment into local infrastructure such as roads and flood defences. 
• Getting our rural communities a fair deal and pressing the Government for more investment and support for farmers

Commenting, Cllr Mike Ross, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Hull and East Riding Mayor said:

“This election is between the Liberal Democrats and Labour. 

“For years the Conservatives have taken our area for granted and are out of the race this time. Their terrible record running the country is still remembered by residents right across our area. 

“Now, this new Labour Government just isn’t listening to the concerns of residents right across Hull and the East Riding. Only the Lib Dems are standing up for our communities. 

“The Liberal Democrats have a plan to get our local economy moving and will fight for our fair share of funding to tackle flooding, crumbling roads and failing transport systems.  

“The Liberal Democrats are the best choice to win this election, we’ll get a fair deal for our community and we’ll send this Labour Government a message that can’t be ignored.”