Local Democracy asked each of the four West of England metro mayoral candidates to write a 300-word pitch to voters. This is one of those four, from Conservative Samuel Williams.

My name is Samuel Williams and I am your Conservative candidate for the West of England mayoral election.

My story is a complex one. I grew up locally, in a single-parent home, with an English mother and Jamaican father.

As a young man I trained to be a priest, before setting up my own business.

I am a product of the community that helped raise me and I owe it a great debt.

It is now my desire to pay this back. To give back to the region that has given so much for me.

On Thursday, May 6, you have a clear choice: a choice between a business minded, forward thinking, opportunity driven Conservative candidate, or yet another lacking leader or careerist party politician.

As your mayor I want to give the West of England the strong Conservative leadership it desperately deserves, to unlock Government funding and drive us forward in our recovery away from Covid, towards strong and meaningful commerce, communities, and collaboration.

As a local businessman and charity leader, I'm passionate about energising our region to increase opportunities and quality of life for all: I will invest over £100million over the next four years to secure the recovery of our skills and business, I will also safeguard our economy, environment and communities, facilitate growth, and deliver improved skills training for high value jobs by launching new a 'Collaborative Future Work and Skills Programme'.

On top of this, I will deliver at least six new train stations and crucial rail improvements across the West of England.

The message is clear. Now is not the time to risk our recovery.

Now is the time to secure our future.