‘We end up with nothing’: east Midlands mayoral candidates say role could transform region

Those vying for job say it will put region on more equal footing with areas such as West Midlands and Greater Manchester

The Conservatives are not taking accountability" for their part in leaving regions such as the east Midlands to suffer with poor infrastructure, growing inequalities and a skills gap, Labour's candidate for the region's first mayor said.

Claire Ward, the former MP for Watford, said there was not enough to keep young people in the east Midlands and that people had lost hope".