Lepori to challenge Burnham for GM Mayor

Simon Lepori is the Liberal Democrat choice to replace Andy Burnham as Mayor of Greater Manchester

The Liberal Democrats have selected former healthcare worker and long time Trafford campaigner Simon Lepori as their candidate for the Mayor of Greater Manchester.

Simon has lived in Stretford, Greater Manchester with his partner for the past 15 years. He worked in the health and social care sector for 17 years from 2002-2019 and returned to the NHS frontline during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. He has been a committed Liberal Democrat campaigner for the past 5 years campaigning in Trafford and across Greater Manchester on issues like Brexit, healthcare and standing up for our Green Belt.

Simon's priorities are:

- building a healthcare and social care system fit for the 21st century in Greater Manchester

- refocusing policing back into communities, with well funded youth services from local councils to help stem the tide and cycle of crime and disorder

- a transport system that works for Greater Manchester not against it

- a housing plan that puts people first, not developers.

Simon says "I am honoured to have been chosen by my Liberal Democrat friends and colleagues to be our candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor. I look forward to meeting residents, online or in a socially distanced way, from across the 10 boroughs, and challenging Andy Burnham on our Police, Transport and protecting our green belt. Let us rise up from the ashes of Covid & recession and rebuild Greater Manchester together"

Reacting to the news, local Lib Dem leader Andy Kelly said "I am delighted for Simon, I have worked with him over many years and he is an excellent candidate - with a boundless energy and enthusiasm for getting things done. I look forward to supporting his campaign over the coming months - we need a Mayor who will deliver real change for the Manchester region".