I'm running for mayor because I want the whole of South Yorkshire to balance economic well-being with environmental gain and social justice - a fairer society all round.

Full statement

"I'll also be campaigning for more powerful devolution and our fair share of funding on education, transport, health employment and social care provision.

There are 5.5m people living in Yorkshire so it’s comparable with Scotland, bigger than Wales and Ireland, and comparable with Norway – and yet it doesn’t really have any self-determination powers,”

“We need to get devolution so we can focus on infrastructure projects and things that are meaningful to the people of Yorkshire and the wider UK. 

“It’s a huge economy and a very vibrant economy and a great place to live. It even has houses that you can afford to live in, and have families. You can actually have the strange concept of a work-life balance,” he stated.

“The position is a metro mayor – a bit like Andy Burnham in Manchester,”

Yorkshire Party leader, Bob Buxton: “Simon’s balanced approach to job creation, social ethics and environment sustainability sits very well with the Yorkshire Party’s centrist position and green priorities.

“He has professional experience of getting things done – creating long-term, well-paid jobs for South Yorkshire. Just imagine what he could do as mayor.”