West is one of the most prominent campaigners against the rape gangs in the country - he spent more than two years forcing the government to establish a national rape gang inquiry, meeting repeatedly with senior politicians, including safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, and publicly accusing Labour of breaking its promises to victims and families when they stalled.

Full statement

Marlon’s own daughter was groomed and raped. He understands the evil, and wants to use his experience to ensure that others avoid the same fate.

Marlon played a central role in our independent Rape Gang Inquiry, working alongside Sammy Woodhouse to gather evidence and support survivors throughout the process. The inquiry's report, published this month, is the most comprehensive and honest independent examination of rape gang abuse ever conducted in Britain.

Marlon is born and bred in Greater Manchester and has worked in the NHS across the region for over 30 years.

He is standing on a broader platform for the city he has spent his life in. He will push to attract genuine business investment, cut wasteful public spending including on the GMCA's own bloated administration, protect greenfield land from developers, and overhaul a transport network that has failed commuters for years.

Greater Manchester is not a backdrop for Marlon.

It is where his family was failed. Scarlett was groomed by gangs operating across the region while Andy Burnham ran the city.

Marlon spent years fighting the institutions that looked the other way - he is now asking Greater Manchester voters for the chance to run those same institutions.

A good man who wants a better future for his home.