Labour's NEC backs down in stand-off with Dan Jarvis

Labour's ruling National Executive Committee has bowed to pressure to allow Dan Jarvis to stand in the Sheffield City Region mayoral election while remaining Barnsley Central MP.

The NEC had previously ruled that the former Paratroop Regiment officer would have to stand down from his parliamentary seat if he wanted to run.

A Labour source revealed that both parties had come to an agreement over the weekend and Mr Jarvis would be able to remain an MP.

Mr Jarvis said: "I am honoured to be Labour's candidate for the Sheffield City Region mayoral election and I am looking forward to the campaign.

"This is an important role at a crucial moment and we must ensure that we elect a Labour mayor who will deliver a bold and radical plan for delivering real change for the people of South Yorkshire."

Previously the Yorkshire and Humber Parliamentary Labour Group, which includes 36 MPs in the region, had written to John Cryer, chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party, asking the NEC to "reconsider their position as a matter of urgency".

The post of the Sheffield City Region Mayor has been mired in controversy because, unlike similar roles in Manchester and the West Midlands, no devolution and funding deal has yet been agreed to go with the appointment.

Two of the four South Yorkshire councils - Doncaster and Barnsley - have rejected a devolution solution centred on the county in favour of joining a pan-Yorkshire proposal.

Last month, 18 of the 20 local authorities in Yorkshire agreed to back a proposal to the Government to deliver a One Yorkshire devolution deal.

Sheffield and Rotherham were the only Yorkshire councils not to sign up to the plan.

Mr Jarvis is the overwhelming favourite to win the contest as all of the 14 South Yorkshire constituencies which will take part in the election were won by Labour at the last general election.

Nominations for candidates for the May 3 election close on Friday April 6.

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