Karl McCartney becomes second former Conservative MP to put hat into ring to become Greater Lincolnshire’s first mayor

Former Lincoln MP Karl McCartney is seeking to become the Conservative candidate for the Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire.

Throughout his political career, Mr McCartney has been elected as the city's parliamentary representative three times, but recently lost his seat to Labour's Hamish Falconer following the General Election in July.

This news comes after central government officially signed off on the devolution deal for the region last Thursday (September 19), which is slated to bring an additional £24 million per year to the area.

Matt Warman, ex-MP for Boston & Skegness is also seeking to become the Conservative candidate for next May's election and has already received support from Victoria Atkins, MP for Louth and Horncastle, and East Lindsey District Council leader Craig Leyland.

Mr Warman also lost his seat in the recent General Election to Reform UK's Richard Tice.

Should he be successful in becoming the Conservative candidate, Mr McCartney believes he could build on his extensive links with local and national government and promised to continue putting 'Lincoln and Lincolnshire first'.

“Our Party, the Conservative Party, has begun the process to select a candidate for the Greater Lincolnshire Mayor to be elected in May 2025 - following the Labour Government’s confirmation of the local government devolution deal agreed by the two Northern Lincolnshire Unitary Authorities and Lincolnshire County Councils," he said.

"I have let Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) and those managing the process know that I am intending to apply to be our local Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Candidate ahead of the election in May
2025.

“Should I be successfully chosen as the Conservative Candidate, I would campaign the length and breadth of our county alongside my county council candidate colleagues through to May next year.

"As the Mayor, I could build on my extensive links with local and national government, businesses and third sector bodies, and replicate my proven track record in delivering a range of benefits for Lincoln and Lincolnshire over the last 14-plus years.

"My plans for future prosperity, economic growth and transport infrastructure improvements for Greater Lincolnshire will be a positive reason for the diverse electorate across our historic county to once again support Conservative candidates.

“Even those voters who maybe are reluctant to consider voting Conservative, I
would hope might have an open mind as I positively make the case for my
candidature.

"Starting from today I shall be putting forward my plans for the future of Greater Lincolnshire and the exciting opportunity this mayoral role offers, as I seek selection as our candidate for next May."

Mr McCartney insisted that the county has the potential to be at the forefront of various sectors in the UK with the new mayor at the helm, leading initiatives such as a Green Energy Hub and Lincolnshire Energy Commission, an energy corridor from Grimsby through Boston to Spalding, and transport improvements along the A15 and A16.