Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Dan Price has been selected as Labour’s candidate in the battle to become the first mayor of Cheshire and Warrington.
Three local councils – Cheshire East, Cheshire West & Chester and Warrington – all recently backed the creation of a new combined authority.
The authority will be headed by a mayor who will be voted in at an election expected to take place in May 2027.
Mr Price, a senior engineer by profession who started his career as an apprentice at Unilever, was born and grew up in the county and lives in Warrington with his husband and their son.
He is a former Warrington borough councillor having been elected at the age of 19 and served on the authority for 10 years.
In May 2024, he was elected as Cheshire PCC and will continue in that role until 2028 when the post is scrapped.
This follows the precedent set by other elected mayors in the region.
Mr Price said: “Ultimately, I’m a problem-solver. People who know me, know that’s what drives me to deliver.
“It’s why I love what I do. As my track record as PCC shows, I like to move at pace to get things done.
“Cheshire has so much to offer and even more potential – incredible heritage and cutting-edge innovation side by side.
“Devolution is a real opportunity to build on our strengths as a county. I would relish the opportunity to deliver that as mayor.
“A key priority for me will be to make sure our young people have the skills, jobs and homes to want to stay in Cheshire and build a life for themselves here.”
Mr Price says he has championed community-led policing during his time as PCC and held five citizens’ assemblies across Cheshire with four more planned before his term ends in 2028.
He has used money seized from criminals to fund 122 local community prevention projects though his SWAP fund and campaigned to save 30 PCSO roles in January.
His Fresh Start programme has placed 20 ex-offenders in meaningful careers with local businesses.
Most recently, he has supported Esther Ghey’s ‘Phone Free Education’ campaign.
He says Cheshire is set to be the first county in the UK where all phones are locked away in pouches during the school day.
More than 70% of the county’s mainstream state high schools will use phone pouches from September 2026.
Crewe and Nantwich MP Connor Naismith said: “I’m backing Dan because he is the best-placed candidate to take the fight to the forces of division across our county.
“I’ve seen first-hand his commitment to our area.
“His support for projects like the Nantwich Youth and Community Centre has been invaluable.”
Macclesfield MP Tim Roca said: “Dan gets what Macclesfield, our villages and Cheshire need.
“From industry to public service, he knows how to deliver, and as PCC he’s proven that time after time.
“He also gets why housing is such an important issue, especially for young people, but that Adlington new town isn’t the right solution.”
Not a surprise….. but doesn’t he have to resign from his PCC job before standing – so he can’t use PCC money for “campaigning”?
Andy Burnham’s Mayor’s office for 2026/27 is costing Band D properties and extra £150 added the charged Council Tax for the same period.
Concur Chris M. Jobs for the boys, considering this person’s current post is being scrapped in 2028. On another issue, rate payers will be funding the Mayoral position through out rates in future.
Do we need someone who is connected to a political party. Why not have a good Joe/ Jane Public with oceans of commonsense?
Mmm