The leader of the Green group on Kirklees Council has been chosen as the party’s candidate for Mayor of West Yorkshire.

Clr Andrew Cooper, who represents the Newsome ward in Huddersfield, has been re-elected to the council six times.

The West Yorkshire Mayoral Elections take place on May 2 and current mayor, Labour’s Tracy Brabin, will be seeking a second term.

Clr Cooper is the Kirklees Council representative on the West Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Climate, Energy and Environment Committee and has been a member of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel.

Clr Cooper said: “The Labour mayor has not achieved her pledges on green jobs and sustainable homes.

“If selected I will contrast that with positive Green Party proposals to establish the Passivhaus standard for all new housing supported by mayoral funds and a proper skills programme to install renewable technologies and to retrofit homes.

“I am supportive of proposals to bring public transport under public control and to develop a West Yorkshire Tram Network.

“I would call for a moratorium on all new road building programmes supported by the current mayor and call for a safe network of routes for cyclists.

“As West Yorkshire Mayor I will make clear my support for an immediate permanent ceasefire in Gaza and promote boycotts, divestment and sanctions to put pressure on the Israeli government to abide by international law and end illegal occupations of Palestinian territory.

“The mayor also has responsibility for police and crime policy in West Yorkshire and has a nominated deputy.

“My nominated deputy mayor is Mothin Ali, our candidate in Gipton and Harehills in Leeds. He liaises with his local police over crime in his community and I am pleased he is my running mate.”