[1][2] It broadly resembles Avon, but excludes North Somerset because that council opposed joining the combined authority, although they collaborate on some projects.

[3][4] In October 2020 there were discussions around North Somerset joining the WECA in time for the May 2021 election,[5][6] but councillors in Bristol voted down this proposal in early 2021.

Under a devolution deal agreed in 2017,[8] they have powers over a £30 million annual allocation from the government, to fund transport management, strategic planning of land and housing and adult education.

[16] All registered electors (British, Irish, Commonwealth and European Union citizens) living in the West of England aged 18 or over on 6 May 2020 will be entitled to vote in the mayoral election.

[20] Samuel Williams, the Conservative candidate, said that he would start a "collaborative growth forum" as a place for representatives of different industrial sectors to meet and discuss how the combined authority can support them.

[21] He said he would establish a "Green Recovery Fund" to create 23,000 jobs by investing in "home retrofitting, tree-planting, flood and drought defences, and renewable energy".

[20] Stephen Williams, the Liberal Democrat candidate, said he would prioritise bus franchising and opening new railway stations.

[21] He said he would lobby the national government to institute a wealth tax and provide VAT reductions for energy-efficient products.

[22] In the BBC debate, he said he'd start community land associations to help people build homes for themselves, and reduce the number of cars on roads.

Of those seven candidates, Norris and Bristol councillor Helen Godwin were shortlisted at interview to proceed to a selection by members' vote.