Labour's Claire Ward has been declared the first ever East Midlands Mayor, winning in almost all areas across the region.
Ward - a former MP in Watford - won 181,040 votes, beating nearest rival Conservative Ben Bradley, who gained 129,332 votes.
Notably, the Green party's Frank Adlington-Stringer came in third position polling 50,666 votes across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. The full results for each candidate can be found in our live blog.
Sources in the Labour camp claimed on Friday lunchtime that Ward had comfortably raced to victory. Ward and her supporters appeared happy early on while votes were being counted at the Nottingham Tennis Centre - with rival Conservative candidate Ben Bradley told journalists he felt "meh".
Each council area counted its own votes, submitting its final verified results to Nottingham City Council's chief executive Mel Barrett, who is acting as the returning officer for this election. Mr Barrett announced the overall winner at the Nottingham count inside the Tennis Centre at around 4.30pm on Friday afternoon (May 3).
The Mayor will lead the East Midlands Combined County Authority - a new organisation covering Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
The organisation has been given extensive powers currently held by Westminster, meaning it will be able to make decisions on issues including local transport and housing. To allow it to make such decisions and deliver local projects, the combined authority is being given at least £38 million every year over the next 30 years.
The Mayor is the person who will be instrumental in deciding where and how that money is spent. The six candidates who stood in this election were:
Frank Adlington-Stringer, Green Party
Ben Bradley, Conservative
Alan Graves, Reform UK
Matt Relf, Independent
Helen Tamblyn-Saville, Liberal Democrats
Claire Ward, Labour
Key Events
Thank you for following
We are now ending today's coverage of the East Midlands Mayor election and the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner elections.
Thank you so much to all of you who have followed coverage from myself, Zena Hawley and our photographer Joseph Raynor at the counts. This has been a hugely significant day for our region, and we will now follow the next four years closely to see how the new role of East Midlands Mayor delivers for our part of the world.
Labour "ready for general election" after East Midlands Mayor race
Claire Ward, the first ever East Midlands Mayor, has outlined her immediate priorities as she takes office. Ms Ward also says the mayoral election result shows that Labour in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire are ready for a general election.
The Labour Mayor pointed to the strong results the party saw in areas like Rushcliffe and parts of Derbyshire. Read more here.
Ben Bradley "could not stop the tide" of Conservative election defeats
Ben Bradley has spoken about his personal disappointment about losing the East Midlands Mayor election. The Conservative candidate was visibly emotional during his speech on stage at the Nottingham Tennis Centre after the result was declared.
Mr Bradley primarily put his loss down to the national picture, saying he could not "stop the tide" of Tory defeats. Read more here.
Full story: Gary Godden is the new Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Caroline Henry has lost her role as Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner after being defeated by Labour. The Conservative candidate achieved 77,148 votes, compared to Gary Godden's 119,355.
The Liberal Democrat candidate, David Watts, achieved 32,410 votes. People across Nottinghamshire had voted in the poll on Thursday (May 2), which took place on the same day as the East Midlands Mayor election.
The Police and Crime Commissioner result was declared at the Rushcliffe Arena on Friday (May 3), with the count being attended by figures including Caroline Henry's husband, the Conservative MP for Broxtowe Darren Henry. Mrs Henry attracted significant controversy during her time as Police and Crime Commissioner for refusing to resign despite being convicted of five speeding offences over the course of four months.
The commissioner left court in July 2022 with a total fine of £2,450 and received a six-month driving ban. Gary Godden, a former Nottinghamshire Police officer who served for 15 years with the force, is now set to serve in the Police and Crime Commissioner role for four years.
Nottinghamshire's 'Blue Wall' is crumbling after East Midlands Mayor election
Ben Bradley was undoubtedly one of the key figures spearheading the creation of the East Midlands Mayor role, having been accused by his opponents of simply creating himself another job. That accusation rested on the now flawed assumption that the mayoral election would be a shoo-in for Mr Bradley, primarily given his local profile.
Instead, the Mansfield MP, county council leader and unsuccessful mayoral candidate drops down to 'two jobs Bradley.' Much of the national media's attention in terms of the mayoral races has been focused on the Tees Valley and the West Midlands, but the result of the East Midlands Mayor election will be causing some incredible jitters for Nottinghamshire's Conservatives.
It is not just that Labour secured an absolutely romping victory in this election, it is how they did it. Outside the city boundary, Nottinghamshire has its solid Conservative areas like Newark and Rushcliffe.
The county is also home to several constituencies that formed part of the apparent 'Blue Wall' formed after Boris Johnson's general election victory in 2019, chief among them being the North Notts trio of Ashfield, Bassetlaw and Mansfield. For both of these categories, there were bad results for the Conservatives.
Although by a slimmer margin than in other areas, Labour were victorious in Rushcliffe, the constituency held for decades by Ken Clarke. As for the 'Blue Wall', these results show the first sign that it is beginning to crumble.
Read more in an opinion piece from our agenda editor Oliver Pridmore here.
Caroline Henry loses job as Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Caroline Henry has lost her job as Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, having been beaten to the post by Labour's Gary Godden. The Conservative candidate still managed to achieve over 77,000 votes, but it was not enough to match Mr Godden's 119,000.
This is what Nicolle Ndiweni had to say about her victory
She told Derbyshire Live: "My new role is going to bring challenges and I am hoping that cross-party cooperation will help. Facing the challenges and wanting to make difference is why I stood for this position.
"I have spent months listening to residents across Derbyshire, in our villages, towns, rural communities and city. I understand and share their community safety and policing concerns and I believe everyone should feel safe no matter where they live, work or study in our region."
Councillor Baggy Shanker's brief comment on the day's results
When asked by Derbyshire Live what he thought of the double victory of first-ever East Midlands Combined Authority Mayor and Derbyshire Police and Crime Commisioner for Labour, Derby City Council leader said: "Long may it continue."
He also added: "Fantastic results across the East Midlands and here in Derby.
"There is a clear message for change in areas like South Derbyshire, NE Derbyshire and Amber Valley.
"Claire Ward will provide strong leadership for the East Midlands and has been given a strong mandate by local voters.
The Conservative vote has collapsed as people have rejected the leadership of Sunak across the East Midlands voters are sending a clear message. It’s time for a change and Rishi Sunak should call a GE.
"I’m delighted for Nicole. She will be an excellent PCC and has a vision with plans to make Derbyshire safer."
The voting figures for the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner election
The result was:
- Nicolle Ndiweni, Labour - 93,260
- Angelique Foster, Conservative - 65,293
- Russell Armstrong, Reform UK - 32,944
- David Hancock, Liberal Democrat - 22,540
The overall turn-out was 26.9%.
The results of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner election are in...
And the winner is Nicolle Ndiweni for Labour.
These are the candidates for the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner role
These are the people who will find out if they have either been re-elected or elected to the position in the near future as the count reaches its conclusion:
• Russell Armstrong – Reform UK
• Angelique Foster – Conservative Candidate – More Police, Safer Streets (existing position holder)
• David Hancock – Liberal Democrat
• Nicolle Ndiweni – Labour and Co-operative Party
First East Midlands Mayor 'truly humbled' by result
Speaking following her victory this afternoon, Labour's Claire Ward said: “I am truly humbled the people of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have elected me to become your very first East Midlands Mayor.”
Derby South MP Dame Margaret Beckett rebukes PM Rishi Sunak
Dame Margaret Beckett has said that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak should not have taken Conservative Ben Bradley's victory for granted. She said: "That's the peril of taking the electorate for granted and presuming that he would win. It illustrates his lack of skill and understanding."
Dame Margaret said she was pleased that Claire Ward, who she called a good candidate, had won the mayoral election and was looking forward to a similar outcome for Labour's Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner candidate Nicolle Ndiweni.
She added: "I am one of the old school who doesn't take a victory for granted until it has been announced."
Conservative Ben Bradley doesn't look too happy
Ben Bradley came in second and doesn't look too happy about it. Will he now stand to be MP again in Mansfield? And continue as leader of Nottinghamshire County Council? These are all questions we will try and ask him today.
Congratulations from Derby City Council leader
Councillor Baggy Shanker was in Nottingham to hear the overall result and that Labour's Claire Ward had won to become the first East Midlands Cobined Authority Mayor.
He said: "This is an excellent result for Derby and the East Midlands. People all over the area have been telling us that they are fed up of a zombie government who have no idea on how to deliver improvements that residents need and are crying out for.
Derby has delivered a hugely positive result for Labour and we’ve seen that replicated across the region.
"Claire will be a massive asset for the region and fight for the East Midlands - for better government funding as the region has been hit hard by Tory austerity."
Claire Ward becomes the first ever East Midlands Mayor
Claire Ward is the first ever East Midlands Mayor. Labour's candidate won with 181,040 votes, compared to Ben Bradley's 129,332. Frank Adlington-Stringer performed very well for the Green Party, coming in a very convincing third place with 50,666 votes.
Reform came third with 49,201 votes, Matt Relf as the independent candidate secured 23,359 votes and the Liberal Democrats finished last with 15,970 votes.
Labour's Claire Ward is the first Mayor for the East Midlands
Labour's Claire Ward has been declared the winner - and will become the first Mayor of the East Midlands.
A historic moment for the region.
Results in full from our Agenda Editor Oliver Pridmore at the count here:
Frank Adlington-Stringer, Green Party 50,666
Ben Bradley, Conservative 129,332
Alan Graves, Reform UK 49,201
Matt Relf, Independent 23,359
Helen Tamblyn-Saville, Liberal Democrats 15,970
Claire Ward, Labour 181,040
Conservative Ben Bradley wins in Derbyshire Dales - by just 74 votes
The results are in from Derbyshire Dales. It's the first victory for Ben Bradley, the Conservative candidate.
Results in full:
Frank Adlington-Stringer (Green) 3216
Ben Bradley (Con) 6101
Alan Graves (Reform) 1802
Matt Relf (Ind) 963
Helen Tamblyn-Saville (LibDem) 1037
Claire Ward (Lab) 6027
Turnout: 33.26%
Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner election count has started
A decision has been taken to start the count for the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner election across the county - despite the final result for the East Midlands Combined Authority mayor not yet being announced.
Originally, it was intended that the count would start when the mayoral election had been concluded and announced at the Nottingham Tennis Centre.
It is hoped that the result of the police crime and commissioner vote will be announced by 6pm at Derby Arena.
Labour's Claire Ward looking chirpy
Claire Ward can't help but smile as she talks to a colleague after her stomping victory in Nottingham City was revealed. Claire's red blazers have been ever-present throughout the campaign and she didn't disappoint today with an on-brand outfit.
Reaction to Labour mayoral victory in Derby
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, deputy leader of the ruling Labour group on Derby City Council, said that Labour had been more than doubled the Conservative vote in Derby "which sent a clear message to the Government".
She said: "This is a resounding message, which couldn't be clearer. It says 'we don't want you here'. The political swing is indicative of what is happening across the country.
"This is the first time we have had the East Midlands mayoral election and that could explain the low turn-out. But in four years, it will be different and people will know what the role is all about."
Huge Labour victory in Nottingham
Labour have secured a huge majority in Nottingham. The result is as follows:
Claire Ward (Labour) - 25,876
Ben Bradley (Conservative) - 9,824
Frank Adlington-Stringer (Green) - 7,264
Alan Graves (Reform) - 3,135
Matt Relf (Independent) - 2,619
Helen Tamblyn-Saville (Liberal Democrat) - 1,736
Labour victory in Erewash
Erewash result is in: Labour win by 567 votes
Green: 2,474
Cons: 7,782
Reform: 3,301
Ind: 1,116
LD: 627
Labour: 8,349
Final winner set to be declared within the next half an hour
Mel Barrett, the election returning officer, has just confirmed that the final election result is due to be declared in the next 15-30 minutes.
Results from Derby for Mayoral election
Frank Adlington-Stringer, Green Party, 4,566
Ben Bradley, Conservative, 9,932
Alan Graves, Reform UK, 7,974
Matt Relf, Independent, 1,669
Helen Tamblyn-Saville, Liberal Democrats, 1,930
Claire Ward, Labour, 19,595
Labour win in Derby
Ashfield confirms its result
Ashfield has just confirmed how its residents have voted in this election. Claire Ward is once again in the lead, although Matt Relf makes it into third place this time:
Claire Ward (Labour) - 7,130
Ben Bradley (Conservative) - 5,687
Matt Relf (Independent) - 3,570
Alan Graves (Reform) - 3,532
Frank Adlington-Stringer (Green) - 1,482
Helen Tamblyn-Saville (Liberal Democrat) - 579
Rushcliffe becomes first area to declare a result
Rushcliffe has become the first area to declare how its residents voted in the East Midlands Mayor election. The results show Claire Ward winning by a slim margin against Ben Bradley, and Frank Adlington-Stringer coming in a strong third.
The results for Rushcliffe are:
Claire Ward (Labour) - 13,158
Ben Bradley (Conservative) - 12,887
Frank Adlington-Stringer (Green) - 3,875
Alan Graves (Reform) - 1,974
Matt Relf (Independent) - 1,828
Helen Tamblyn-Saville (Liberal Democrat) - 1,151
Results not far off.....
Agents of the candidates have been asked to check out the Derby mayoral election result.
Those supporters still here at Derby have begun to gather in front of the raised platform where the results will be announced from.
All a sure sign the local and overall results are soon to be announced unless there are any last-minute queries.
Counting still continuing at Derby Arena
Watching from above the counting floor in Derby Arena, it looks as if most of the counting has been done. The ballot papers have been put into bundles of 10 and double-checked by a second counter.
Maybe it won't be too long before we are able to send the Derby results over to Nottingham Tennis Centre, where the results from all council districts across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are being collated for the main announcement.
This is what Derby City Council has said on social media:
The turnout for every area across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire as counting underway
Counting is underway across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. The earliest prediction is that we'll have a final result by 2.30pm, which seems incredibly optimistic, whilst others say it could be as late as 4.
Below is how every area across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire voted:
Amber Valley - 29%
Ashfield - 23.7%
Bassetlaw - 24.7%
Bolsover - 22.3%
Broxtowe - 35%
Chesterfield - 24.8%
Derby City - 25.4%
Derbyshire Dales - 33.3%
Erewash - 27.6%
Gedling - 30.5%
High Peak - 30.1%
Mansfield - 25.1%
Newark & Sherwood - 28.5%
North East Derbyshire - 27.9%
Nottingham City - 24.9%
Rushcliffe - 37.7%
South Derbyshire - 25%
