Andy Street ditches Tories in West Midlands mayoral campaign material

The former John Lewis boss has been criticised for largely excluding reference to the Conservative party from his social media accounts and campaign literature, and has frequently described himself as more of a businessman than a politician.

His offer to the voters of the West Midlands includes increasing social housebuilding to 1,700 a year by 2028 and creating more than 400,000 jobs and training opportunities to help the region’s economic growth overtake London by 2030.

He also wants to bring the 2027 Invictus Games to the region, turn a Digbeth viaduct into a “skypark” and create a global tech festival inspired by SXSW in Texas.

He has advocated a bold vision for a transformed public transport network but since taking office, just four new tram stops have been completed and a new rail line, which Street previously said would be in operation by the election, is almost a year behind schedule.

Ultimately, he said, he has successfully championed the region and he claims to have been working furiously behind the scenes to ensure Birmingham city council’s bankruptcy doesn’t damage the West Midlands’ reputation.

Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The GuardianShe said although Street seemed more “middle ground” than other Conservatives and may appeal to a wider base of voters, the national trend was moving against the party.