Yorkshire’s debt to Dan Jarvis as mayor steps aside – The Yorkshire Post says

THIS county owes Dan Jarvis an enormous debt of gratitude for his work as South Yorkshire Mayor since 2018 – and the outstanding contribution that he continues to make to the whole region.
By YP Comment
Published 20th Sep 2021, 16:44 BST
Dan Jarvis is to step down as South Yorkshire's mayor next year.Dan Jarvis is to step down as South Yorkshire's mayor next year.
Dan Jarvis is to step down as South Yorkshire's mayor next year.

What levelling up must mean in South Yorkshire – Dan Jarvis

It is his leadership, and authority, that quelled a political firestorm when the push for Yorkshire-wide devolution, and which he advocated, caused huge tensions with Sheffield City Region – and also the Government.

Dan Jarvis announces he will not seek re-election as South Yorkshire Mayor

Barnsley Central MP Dan jarvis has also been South Yorkshire's mayor since 2018.Barnsley Central MP Dan jarvis has also been South Yorkshire's mayor since 2018.
Barnsley Central MP Dan jarvis has also been South Yorkshire's mayor since 2018.
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He’s never received sufficient credit for stepping into the breach, when Minister decreed that South Yorkshire should have its own mayor, and making sure that the area had an effective Combined Authority in his place.

Give mayors new powers, say Michael Heseltine and Andy Burnham

Mr Jarvis also made plain that he would not serve as both mayor, and Labour MP for Barnsley Central, for an indefinite period and, again, he’s been as good as his word on this.

By announcing now his decision not to contest next May’s mayoral election, it provides sufficient time for the most able candidates from across the political spectrum to come forward, be selected and then engage in a serious policy debate about the best way to advance the renewal of Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster.

This was Dan Jarvis serving in the Army, including tours of Afghanistan, before becoming MP for Barnsley Central.This was Dan Jarvis serving in the Army, including tours of Afghanistan, before becoming MP for Barnsley Central.
This was Dan Jarvis serving in the Army, including tours of Afghanistan, before becoming MP for Barnsley Central.
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A significant test for Labour because of the size of the void created by Mr Jarvis, the coming months will also reveal the extent of the Tory party’s advance in so-called ‘red wall’ areas – and what that potentially means for national and regional politics.

And while some will be disappointed by the decision of Mr Jarvis to step down from the mayoralty, particularly at a time when the Government appears to be finally bringing some focus to its much-vaunted levelling up policy, his full-time presence at Parliament can only enhance decision-making, policy-making and the quality of debate – even more so in light of his stern warning at the weekend that Ministers need to respect and trust all mayors far more.

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Related topics:South YorkshireMayorYorkshire PostGovernmentSheffield City Region

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