The brand new Banking Hub has now officially opened its doors on our Moor Market in #Kirkby ✔ This will create a significant boost to banking services in #Ashfield. Here Councillor Matt Relf takes a tour of the new hub #bankinghub

EMC Political Group Leader Appointments for 24/25 confirmed at today’s AGM: Conservative Group Leader - Cllr @CllrPhilKing Independent Group Leader - Cllr @MattRelf Labour Group Leader - Cllr @jewelmiah Liberal Democrat Group Leader - Cllr David Bill

The upcoming election will decide the next government and PM, but more importantly it is about selecting your local representative. Take a moment to look at your local candidates and make sure they have the skills, local knowledge and share your values. whocanivotefor.co.uk

Great visit to Amazon today. Met with the General Manager to discuss how they can engage more with our fantastic community and the many exciting projects we have going on in the local area from the Sherwood Observatory Science Discovery Centre to the ADMC. #skills #automation

Well, not the election result I was after but I am still incredibly proud to have represented those looking for a fresh independent voice in politics. There are definitely questions to ask about how the election was run by Nottingham City Council. Very late delivery of the election booklets (with many being delivered after people have voted!) is completely unacceptable. This will undoubtedly have affected the turnout and the result, although enough to change the end result is something we will never know. On the turnout front, we need a step change in UK elections. Over 73% of people did not vote in this election. Combine this with the antiquated first-past-the-post voting system and I do not think many elected politicians can truly claim to represent the will of the people when so many people stay silent on election day. I encourage everyone to spend a little more time engaging with elections as they are the only way to deliver real change for our country. I want to say a big thank you to all the other candidates and to congratulate @ClaireWard4EM with her win and wish her all the best in delivering for our region. I huge thankyou go to all the local people and businesses who got behind me and donated the money I needed to stand. Your faith in me is truly humbling. Another massive thankyou goes to all the independent politicians and supporters across the region who have helped spread the word of my campaign. Most of all, thank you to all of you who put a cross next to my name. I will never got over the feelings of humility and pride that comes over you when you are walking around an election count and seeing those crosses next to your name. Thank you so much for your faith in me to represent you. #EastMidlands #EMCCA #derbyshire #Derby #nottinghamshire #Nottingham #mattformayor

It is absolutely disgusting that Nottingham City Council have failed in their duty to properly inform voters about this election. This will have undoubtedly affected the result.

First of many today @MattRelf #MattForMayor

Well if further convincing were needed to go out and vote for me then here it is! Brodie is an excellent judge of character!

It is election day!! Make sure your voice is heard! Today we have a real opportunity to put Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire back on the map and onto the path of a brighter future. So if you want a mayor who can: - Fix our roads - Improve public transport, including active travel - Improve support and investment for our businesses to create more jobs - Improve adult skills provision so people have the right skills for these jobs - Make sure we build the right low energy homes in the right places - Support retrofit of existing homes so we can all lower out bills - Shout about all the fantastic things already happening in our region And who can do all of this free from the influence of meddling party leaders in London then make sure you: - Vote for Positive Change - Vote Independent - Vote Matt for Mayor! #EastMidlands #EMCCA #VoteEastMidsMayor #derbyshire #Derby #nottinghamshire #Nottingham #mattformayor Promoted by Jennifer James on behalf of Matt Relf, both can be reached at 16 Searby Road, Sutton in Ashfield, NG17 5JR

It is election day!! Today we have a real opportunity to put Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire back on the map and onto the path of a brighter future. So if you want a mayor who can: - Fix our roads -Improve public transport, including active travel -Improve support and investment for our businesses to create more jobs -Improve adult skills provision so people have the right skills for these jobs -Make sure we build the right low energy homes in the right places -Support retrofit of existing homes so we can all lower out bills -Shout about all the fantastic things already happening in our region And who can do all of this free from the influence of meddling party leaders in London then make sure you: Vote for Positive Change Vote Independent Vote Matt for Mayor! #EastMidlands #EMCCA #VoteEastMidsMayor #derbyshire #Derby #nottinghamshire #Nottingham #mattformayor Promoted by Jennifer James on behalf of Matt Relf, both can be reached at 16 Searby Road, Sutton in Ashfield, NG17 5JR

It was great to sit down yesterday with #Nottscast at @UniofNottingham to talk all things mayoral. It is election day tomorrow and if you aren't yet decided on who to vote for, stick on this podcast and have a listen. open.spotify.com/show/4bwIl0… Don’t forget to vote tomorrow! Vote for positive change! Vote Independent! Vote Matt for Mayor! #EastMidlands #EMCCA #VoteEastMidsMayor #derbyshire #Derby #nottinghamshire #Nottingham #mattformayor Promoted by Jennifer James on behalf of Matt Relf, both can be reached at 16 Searby Road, Sutton in Ashfield, NG17 5JR

It is unforgiveable the poor communication to the region from the government and the city and county councils about the new East Midlands County Combined Authority and the role of the Mayor. Tomorrow’s election is more important than the general election and yet far too many people still do not know it is on or what it is about! So it is critical that if you want real positive change for our region that you go out and vote and get your friends, families and colleagues to understand who to vote for, and go and vote. Let us not have more of the same neglect from the main parties! Vote for positive change! Vote Independent! Vote Matt for Mayor! Find out more at mattformayor.uk If you are not sure where to vote take a look at: wheredoivote.co.uk #EastMidlands #EMCCA #VoteEastMidsMayor #derbyshire #Derby #nottinghamshire #Nottingham #mattformayor Promoted by Jennifer James on behalf of Matt Relf, both can be reached at 16 Searby Road, Sutton in Ashfield, NG17 5JR

During this campaign I have been asked about my thoughts and opinions on the many areas of responsibility the mayor will have and the influence the mayor can bring. I have also been asked about my opinion on things outside of the direct power and influence the mayor will have. One question of things well outside of the powers of the mayor that comes up a lot are my thoughts on the conflict in Gaza. Given how many people living in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have friends and family in the region that are directly affected by the conflict it is not surprising that it comes up a lot. My view on this is that we need an immediate cease fire in the conflict. For far too long the international community and national politicians have failed to offer the right support and the right pressure to ensure a truly peaceful and stable two state solution can be reached. I have been especially frustrated to watch the national parties whip their members to a party position on something that should so clearly be a clear moral choice for all to come to themselves. I have also been very frustrated to see this government try and silence local politicians on such matters. The main parties have forgotten that elected politicians should answer to the electorate, not party leaders. Being independent I only answer to the electorate and I will always be free to speak out in support or opposition of any subject. #EastMidlands #EMCCA #VoteEastMidsMayor #derbyshire #Derby #nottinghamshire #Nottingham #mattformayor Promoted by Jennifer James on behalf of Matt Relf, both can be reached at 16 Searby Road, Sutton in Ashfield, NG17 5JR

Nottingham City Council are responsible for organising Thursday’s mayoral election for the whole region. Speaking with people over the past few days I have been meeting a lot of people who are yet to receive their election leaflet that explains what Thursday’s election is about and who is standing. The head of service for elections at Notts City confirmed to me this evening that the delivery of the election leaflet is not yet complete!! We were promised that all the leaflets would have been dispatched by the 16th April!! It is utterly unacceptable that we are this close to a vote on such a critical change for our region and there are still a lot of people across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire completely unaware of it and who is standing. I sadly wish I were surpised that this failing Labour run council has failed in yet another area of its delivery. It is now more important than ever to share word of this election so we can make sure we get a mayor with the skills, experience, motivation, integrity and track record to make this the new combined authority is run properly and delivers for our region. Please share this post and please go out on Thursday and vote Matt for Mayor!! #EastMidlands #EMCCA #VoteEastMidsMayor #derbyshire #Derby #nottinghamshire #Nottingham #mattformayor Promoted by Jennifer James on behalf of Matt Relf, both can be reached at 16 Searby Road, Sutton in Ashfield, NG17 5JR

It has been another busy day out on the campaign trail, talking to people across the region. This afternoon I dropped into @UniofNottingham for an interview for @UoNSU coverage of the election helping students decide who to vote for, many voting for the first time. Engagement in the political process is the only way to achieve real change So if you are fed up of the state of things that party politics has left us in - don’t not vote - don’t spoil your ballot paper - Vote for Positive Change - Vote Independent - Vote Matt for Mayor on the 2nd May! #EastMidlands #EMCCA #VoteEastMidsMayor #derbyshire #Derby #nottinghamshire #Nottingham #mattformayor Promoted by Jennifer James on behalf of Matt Relf, both can be reached at 16 Searby Road, Sutton in Ashfield, NG17 5JR

Miss our interview with @MattRelf on Bowe Radio? Catch up 👇 youtube.com/watch?v=UbvxLONn…

On the 2nd May we have an opportunity to transform our region or to have a missed opportunity. Political parties have left this country in a mess. It is time for positive change by electing people on their merits and not based on their party badge. I am the only candidate with the skills, experience and track record of delivery to truly move our region forward. On the 2nd May vote for Positive Change. Vote Independent. Vote Matt for Mayor. #EastMidlands #EMCCA #VoteEastMidsMayor #derbyshire #Derby #nottinghamshire #Nottingham #mattformayor Promoted by Jennifer James on behalf of Matt Relf, both can be reached at 16 Searby Road, Sutton in Ashfield, NG17 5JR

Lend me your ears….listen to the candidates seeking to be the first East Midlands Mayor. BBC Radio Nottingham from 11am (Weds) See it on BBC1 at 2240 #voteeastmidsmayor

Monday started off in Shirebrook talking to residents and business owners. Then on to Chesterfield including meeting with the brilliant team at Visit Peak District and Derbyshire to talk about the work they do and discussing how as mayor I could help promote our region and support the many businesses in the tourism sector. After this I met with an independent councillor from Rushcliffe to talk about the challenges people and businesses in their area are facing. It was then onto a meeting of representatives from Nottingham University and the Students’ Union to talk about how we could do more to connect businesses into the R&D offerings of our universities and how the mayor could support the students in both their life at university and then keeping their talent in our region. We then had an excellent tour of their Power Electronics and Machines Centre that is leading the charge on helping move the transport sector to more sustainable forms of propulsion. I rounded Monday off in North Wingfield talking to residents. It is very clear that people are ready for a change from Labour and the Conservatives and can clearly see the benefit of having an independent mayor free of influence from leaders in London. This morning started off with a business networking event in Ashfield focussed on helping businesses in the local area on growing their international trade to find additional customers overseas. It was wonderful to host our friends from Mentor City in the US. I have been working with them for the past few years on building a partnership between Ashfield and Mentor City so we can help businesses in both areas to build overseas exports and business partnerships. So if you want a mayor who understands what people in our region want and need, who has the skills and experience to deliver real change and has the network across the region to get on with this from day 1, then on the 2nd May vote Independent! Vote Matt for Mayor! #EastMidlands #EMCCA #VoteEastMidsMayor #derbyshire #Derby #nottinghamshire #Nottingham #mattformayor Promoted by Jennifer James on behalf of Matt Relf, both can be reached at 16 Searby Road, Sutton in Ashfield, NG17 5JR

It has been great to be out talking to people in the #peakdistrict today about the upcoming mayoral election. This is a part of the world that I love. I have done many lovely walks in the area, spent 4.5 years working in Bakewell and my gran grew up in Great Longstone. The area has so many great things to shout about but also has challenges as mayor that I would tackle. It has been clear from talking to people that they are fed up with how the Conservatives have treated us, do not trust Labour to deliver, and art very happy to have an independent candidate to vote for who is not bogged down in party politics and has the skills and experience needed to be mayor of the East Midlands. It was wonderful to see Bakewell buzzing and I saw that I wasn’t the only circus in town with Circus Cortex in town being ably promoted by @vpdd. Getting there highlighted the first issue for the area, as I drove over. Getting public transport there would have taken me 4 times as long as driving! It is no wonder the huge rise in traffic that I have seen over the years in the region. As mayor I would be making sure we overhaul public transport so that people can get to where they want to be in an affordable and efficient way. The second issue today has been the lack of mobile data connectivity. While I had good 4G and 5G connections all day it is clear that the data connections to the masts must have been swamped as I could not connect for most of the day. I ended up having to use a kind shop owner’s wifi so I could pay for parking in Bakewell! As mayor I would be making sure we get proper fast internet connectivity out into our rural areas, not just our cities and towns. Find out more at mattformayor.uk #EastMidlands #EMCCA #VoteEastMidsMayor #derbyshire #Derby #nottinghamshire #Nottingham #mattformayor