The Greens have announced Jerome Thomas as their candidate for the West of England mayoral election.

Cllr Thomas is the deputy leader of the party’s opposition group on Bristol City Council, a role he will be stepping down from.

The elections are still planned for May 6 this year, despite growing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

Cllr Thomas joins Labour’s Dan Norris and Lib Dem Stephen Williams, both former MPs, as well as Conservative candidate Samuel Williams on the ballot for metro mayor.

The metro mayor is the political head of the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) which has responsibility for regional transport, strategic planning, economic growth and adult skills.

Current incumbent Tim Bowles, who has held the position for the Conservatives since 2017, is retiring from politics after his four-year term comes to an end in May.

Samuel Williams was initially going to stand for Bristol city mayor but has been chosen as the Tories’ candidate as mayor of the West of England Combined Authority (Weca), which covers Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset.

Calls have been made for the poll to be postponed to allow more time for North Somerset to join the combined authority but that now seems unlikely.

Speaking about his nomination, Cllr Thomas said: “Across the country metro mayors have important responsibilities for jobs, homes and transport.

“Good implementation of green policies in these areas is key to our future health and prosperity.

“As we emerge from Covid and face the challenge of climate change, the green policies that were once considered impractical, are now mainstream and being taken seriously around the world.

“Often it is businesses and organisations from our region who are leading the way globally.

“I am standing as the West of England Green Party metro mayor candidate because our region needs well-paid green jobs, affordable warm homes and low-carbon green transport to tackle congestion. 

“I believe, working with people across the region, that these policies can be practical and achievable without costing the earth.”

Cllr Thomas will be stepping down as a Bristol city councillor, having been elected as Clifton’s first Green member in 2015 and served for the last six years.

The election is set to go ahead at the same time as those postponed by 12 months because of Covid-19 – Bristol City Council, the mayor of Bristol and Avon & Somerset police and crime commissioner.