THE only Conservative candidate to declare for next year's West Midlands Mayoral race has outlined why he should win the top job.

The Tories will pick their candidate on September 29 and John Lewis boss Andy Street CBE is in line for a coronation before the Conservative conference in Birmingham.

Mr Street, a former King Edwards Edgbaston pupil, said: "As a proud Brummie, having been brought up here, I have recently seen the beginning of the renaissance of the West Midlands. But it needs to go much further and touch the daily lives of many more residents.

“Over the past five years, I have led the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership. I’ve witnessed how our region is beginning a transformation not seen for half a century.

“The new role of Mayor offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to accelerate this transformation and truly realise our potential."

He added: “Our Mayor needs to be a strong voice for the West Midlands, accomplished at putting our case to government and being an ambassador around the world, whilst at the same time addressing issues that matter locally: jobs, housing, transport and skills, from Coventry to Wolverhampton.

“I believe I have the necessary experience and skills to make a success of this new role for the benefit of all."

Labour has already picked MEP Sion Simon has its candidate for West Midlands Mayor and the Liberal Democrats have chosen businesswoman Beverley Nielsen to contest the poll on May 4, 2017.

Outlining his business credentials, which include increasing John Lewis sales by over 50 per cent to £4.4 billion, Mr Street said: “For nearly a decade, I have been at the helm of one of Britain’s leading businesses – John Lewis, a company renowned for sharing its success with its partners.

"Similarly, the progress of the Local Enterprise Partnership has been built on teamwork spanning industries, political parties and the different towns and cities of the area.

“This is exactly what is needed from the new mayor."

He added: “We must not squander this opportunity. The region faces a stark choice: do we embrace this renaissance by growing the economy in a way which benefits everybody and thus become Britain’s Powerhouse? Or, do we look backwards?

"There is only one answer and if I’m the candidate, I will work tirelessly to make this happen.”

To follow Andy Street on Twitter visit @andy4wm.