'We need a first minister for Yorkshire, we could call it top brass' - Meet the punk singer vying to be the first mayor of West Yorkshire

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When West Yorkshire elects its first metro mayor next year following the signing of a £1.8bn devolution deal with the Government, voters will likely see familiar names on the ballot.

Already putting themselves forward are MPs and council leaders, with business figures also likely to be key contenders.

But for 30-year-old punk singer Rio Goldhammer, from Bradford, the time has come for someone outside the political sphere to shake things up.

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“I’d only serve for one term,” Rio tells me when we meet - on Zoom, of course - during the week.

Rio Goldhammer, musician who wants to become West Yorkshire's first mayor. Photo: Bruce RollinsonRio Goldhammer, musician who wants to become West Yorkshire's first mayor. Photo: Bruce Rollinson
Rio Goldhammer, musician who wants to become West Yorkshire's first mayor. Photo: Bruce Rollinson

Rio had spent his day virtually teaching students at Leeds Conservatoire, where he is a senior lecturer in Music Business

It’s only part of his normal routine, planned for this year had been international tours with his band, 1919, but the pandemic put a stop to that.

When we speak, Rio is in a self-imposed isolation after coming into contact with someone who had been in contact with someone else with coronavirus.

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