The West Midlands Labour Party has confirmed two candidates have been shortlisted who will go forwards to a members ballot in July to decide who will be Labour’s candidate for the upcoming election for West Midlands Metro Mayor.

The two candidates are Steve Bedser, a businessman and a former Birmingham City Councillor and cabinet member, and Sion Simon, the current MEP for the West Midlands and former MP for Birmingham Erdington.

The new Metro Mayor will be in charge of a raft of services in Sandwell, Dudley, Birmingham and several other authorities.