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Sir Andrew John Street CBE (born 11 June 1963) is a British businessman and Conservative Party politician who was the managing director of John Lewis & Partners from 2007 to 2016 and Mayor of the West Midlands from 2017 to 2024. He was Britain's first openly gay directly elected metro mayor.[3] Street won the May 2017 mayoral election, narrowly defeating Labour candidate Siôn Simon with 50.4% of the vote in the second round. He was re-elected in 2021 with an increased majority, defeating Labour candidate Liam Byrne.[4] He sought a third term in 2024 but was narrowly defeated by Labour candidate Richard Parker.

Key Information

Early life

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Born in Banbury, Oxfordshire, Street moved to Birmingham with his parents, both scientists,[5] when he was ten months old, growing up in Northfield and Solihull.[6] He attended Green Meadow Infants School, Langley Junior School and was then privately educated at King Edward's School in Edgbaston.[6][7] He studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at Keble College, Oxford, where he was President of the Oxford University Conservative Association in the Trinity term of 1984.[8]

Business career

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After graduating, Street harboured ambitions to be a social worker, but he was turned down by Birmingham City Council.[5] He was also turned down for the Marks & Spencer training scheme.[5][9] Street thus started his career at the John Lewis Partnership in 1985 as a trainee at Brent Cross.[5]

After roles in department stores, head office and manufacturing units, Street became managing director of John Lewis Milton Keynes in 1993,[5] moving to the same role at Bluewater five years later. In 2000 he became supply chain director and then, two years later, director of personnel.[5] He became managing director in 2007 and, during his tenure at the top, oversaw a 50% increase in gross sales to over £4.4 billion, a doubling in the number of stores and the growth of the company's online sales department, in spite of the Great Recession.[5][10]

During his John Lewis directorship, Street also worked in local economic development, being named Chairman of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership in April 2011.[11] The announcement of his appointment came weeks after the news that John Lewis would open a flagship store in the newly developed Grand Central shopping centre above New Street station.[11] In 2015, he became lead non-executive director for the Department for Communities and Local Government as well as a member of Prime Minister David Cameron's Business Advisory Group.[12] Street stepped down from these roles in September 2016 after announcing his intention to run for Mayor of the West Midlands.

Political career

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Mayor of the West Midlands (2017–2024)

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Mayoral election: 2016–2017

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On 29 September 2016, Street was officially selected by Conservatives to stand in the first election for Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), which took place on 4 May 2017.[13] Street said: "[The Combined Authority] will determine how we create wealth here and what type of society the West Midlands will become. (...) Our economy is being renewed but we have much more to do to ensure everybody feels the benefit. Our mission is therefore to build the economic powerhouse of Britain in an inclusive way. That will need leadership from somebody who has a proven record, can bring people together and can represent us with passion. This election needs to go beyond traditional political loyalties and I look forward to seeking voters' support for the job ahead."[14] The following day, it was confirmed that Street would leave John Lewis at the end of October 2016.[15] He was succeeded by Paula Nickolds, who assumed the role in January 2017.[16]

For too long, Labour has taken voters [in the West Midlands] for granted. We can win here, we will win here. We really can do it, and so that's why I'm going to leave a job I love, to lead the place I love. This is a campaign that is moderate, inclusive and tolerant, and is made in the West Midlands.

 —From Street's speech to Conservative Party conference 2016[17]

In a speech at the 2016 Conservative Party conference, Street declared his support for Birmingham's bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. He also announced that he would seek to address the "imbalance" in transportation spending that sees London receive seven times as much spending on transport infrastructure per head as the West Midlands does, seeking to end the "begging bowl culture" of applying for regional funding.[18] Street said that fighting inequality would also be a priority, as "social challenges can only be met when everybody shares the fruits of economic progress", saying that he would draw on the lessons of Joseph Chamberlain and his own experiences with the John Lewis Partnership, which shares profits with all of its employees. He also called for a series of debates with Labour candidate Siôn Simon and Liberal Democrat candidate Beverley Nielsen.[19]

Street was endorsed by The Lord Jones of Birmingham, a businessman and crossbench peer who formerly served as Minister of State for Trade and Investment under Gordon Brown.[20]

Street was elected Mayor of the West Midlands on 4 May 2017 with 238,628 votes (216,280 first preferences, and 22,348 transfers) in the second round of voting, and in October of the same year was placed 82nd on commentator Iain Dale's list of 'The Top 100 Most Influential People on the Right'.[21] Upon taking office, he became entitled to the style of Mayor.[22]

First term: 2017–2021

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Street lobbied the government to integrate the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) role within the mayoral position in time for the 2020 election, later postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[23][24] This would have put the role's powers on policing in line with both the mayors of London and Greater Manchester. However, this broke down as the Combined Authority struggled with Street's lack of transparency.[25][26] A public consultation ran in 2019 saw over 6,000 respondents and 58% supported the integration of the PCC role into the metro mayor. However, concern was expressed that local Conservative groups had encouraged people to fill in multiple responses.[27] In June 2020, Street signed a plan to create a West Midlands National Park, in cooperation with councils in and around the city-region.[28] In February 2021, the WMCA and mayor agreed on a budget and digital strategy for the project.[29][30] That same month, a five year plan for decarbonising industry in the West Midlands was drafted for the WMCA.[31]

Second term: 2021–2024

[edit]

Street was re-elected as Mayor on 6 May 2021 with 314,669 votes, 54% of the total votes cast after second preference votes were included.[32]

Street has said that he wants Birmingham to host the 2027 Invictus Games.[33]

Conservative Party Conference 2023
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At the 2023 Conservative Party Conference, Street held a press conference on the future of the proposed Phase 2 of High Speed 2, which would have connected Manchester and Birmingham New Street. He warned that the rumoured decision to scrap the railway line would be missing "a once in a lifetime opportunity to level up", and damage the UK's international reputation for investors. He called for the Government to attract further private investment, rather than cancel the second phase.[34]

Following this, it was reported that Street was considering resigning in protest to the policy, with a spokesman saying that Street would "respond accordingly" to the policy's announcement.[35]

When Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced in his conference speech that Phase 2 of HS2 would be cancelled, with its capital spend redistributed into transport projects across the regions, he said:

I say this to Andy Street, a man I have huge admiration and respect for, I know we have different views on HS2. But I also know we can work together to ensure a faster, stronger spine: quicker trains and more capacity between Birmingham and Manchester.[36]

Following Sunak's speech, Street said he was "disappointed" but that he had decided not to resign.[37] Street later outlined plans with the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham to revive the high-speed rail project with private investment.[38][39][40]

2024 re-election campaign

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Street stood to be elected to a third term in the 2024 mayoral election. Prior to the election, the Labour-run Birmingham City Council, the local council for the most populous metropolitan borough within West Midlands, declared bankruptcy.[41][42] The situation was criticised during the campaign by Street, who said that the Council had "let down" citizens and services.[43] However, he also distanced himself from the incumbent Conservative government led by Prime Minister Sunak, urging the voters "focus on him and his record, not the performance of the Conservative party nationally". Street has also highlighted his record in office, saying that "an extra £10 billion pounds has come to the area as a result of the mayoral system" and that his mayoralty has "delivered 16,000 more houses a year, 33% of them affordable" which according to him is "one of the best records of any region".[44]

Amongst his other policies, Street pledged to treble the amount of social housing within the West Midlands to 1,700 new social homes per year, using powers newly devolved to the combined authority in 2023, with the city region receiving a single affordable housing settlement from central government after 2026.[45][46]

Street backed the proposed light rail system in Coventry, with Street saying that he has "ring-fenced £72m in government money" for the system.[47]

The role of the PCC was set to be abolished and its functions transferred to the Mayor in time for the next mayoral term following the election, however the incumbent Labour PCC Simon Foster took legal action against the process and the High Court ruled in his favour, preventing the scheduled merger of the roles prior to the election. Street continued to support the merger of the functions to the mayoral powers, saying that the success of the model was "already evident" in city regions in which the mayor already holds PCC responsibilities.[48][49]

Street was defeated in the election after a tight race, losing to Richard Parker by 1,508 votes.[50]

In May 2024, Street announced that he would not be standing to become a member of Parliament in the upcoming general election.

Political views

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Street has been an outspoken critic of continually-rising business rates, arguing that "property is the way retailers have made money historically and we need a system that is a reflection of the future", though he does not believe that online transaction taxes are the answer.[9]

In the July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election, Street initially endorsed Jeremy Hunt,[51] but after he withdrew, supported Liz Truss.[52] After Truss announced her resignation as Prime Minister in October 2022, Street stated that he did not regret supporting her candidacy for Conservative Party leader.[53]

In the 2024 Conservative Party leadership election, Street endorsed Tom Tugendhat.

In January 2026, Street alongside Amber Rudd, David Gauke and Ruth Davidson launched a movement called Prosper UK, aiming to bring the Conservative party back to the centre-right.[54]

Honours

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Street was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2015 Birthday Honours for services to economic growth.[55] He was named the 'Most Admired Leader' of the year by business magazine Management Today in 2014.[8] He received the 'President's award' from the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce in for his services to the region. He holds honorary degrees from Birmingham City University,[56] the University of Birmingham and Aston University.[57] Street was knighted by King Charles III in the 2025 New Year Honours for public service.[58]

Personal life

[edit]

Street is gay[3] and is life partner of former Conservative MP Michael Fabricant.[59]

For more than 20 years from his school days, Street was involved with the charity Birmingham Young Volunteers (BYV) Adventure Camps, taking underprivileged children nominated by Birmingham Social Services to Wales for adventure camps. Street is a supporter of Aston Villa F.C. and runs half-marathons.[9] He is Vice-Chairman of Performances Birmingham Limited, which is responsible for running the city's Symphony and Town Halls.[60]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Andy Street

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Sir Andy Street CBE (born 1963) is a British businessman and Conservative politician who served as the first Mayor of the West Midlands from 2017 to 2024. He was elected in the inaugural contest for the role, defeating Labour's Sion Simon, and re-elected in 2021 before losing to Labour's Richard Parker in 2024 amid a national swing against the Conservatives. Prior to politics, Street led John Lewis as managing director from 2007 to 2016, during which the department store chain doubled its number of outlets and boosted sales by over 50 percent through strategic expansion and customer-focused operations. Born in , , and raised in Birmingham, Street studied at , graduating in 1982 before entering retail as a graduate trainee at in 1985. Rising through roles in stores, head office, and manufacturing, he progressed to managing director of Milton in 1993 and later to broader leadership positions within the . As , Street prioritized economic regeneration, such as Midlands Metro extensions, and skills development to drive regional growth, while chairing the to coordinate devolved powers. His tenure, marked by pragmatic cross-party collaboration despite ideological tensions with national party policies, earned him a knighthood in the 2025 for public service.

Early life

Upbringing and education

Andy Street was born on 11 June 1963 in , , , to a who worked as a salesman and a mother who was a . His family relocated to Northfield in Birmingham when he was approximately one year old, later moving to , where he spent much of his childhood in these suburban areas. Street's early schooling took place in Birmingham, beginning at Green Meadow Infants School and Langley Junior School, followed by private education at the prestigious King Edward's School in . These institutions provided a structured academic foundation during his formative years. He then pursued higher education at , where he read (PPE), completing his degree in 1985. The PPE curriculum, known for its emphasis on and economic principles, aligned with influences that later informed his career orientation toward business and policy, though specific childhood experiences directly shaping a pro-business outlook are not extensively detailed in contemporaneous accounts.

Business career

Rise at John Lewis Partnership

Andy Street joined the as a graduate trainee at the branch in 1985, shortly after completing his degree in politics, philosophy, and economics at Oxford University. Over the subsequent two decades, he advanced through operational and personnel roles, including director of personnel, gaining experience in retail management, , and within the employee-owned structure. His progression reflected the Partnership's merit-based internal promotion system, culminating in his appointment as managing director of department stores on 15 January 2007, succeeding . As managing director from 2007 to 2016, Street led the division through the global and subsequent retail shifts, overseeing a 67% increase in to £3.7 billion by 2016. Operating profits stood at approximately £200 million upon his arrival but faced pressures from economic downturns and rising costs, though the business maintained relative stability compared to competitors by adapting to multichannel retail, with growing to represent 33% of total by 2016. Key initiatives included store expansions, such as new outlets and format innovations like "John Lewis at home" concepts, alongside enhancements to the employee partnership model through performance-linked bonuses and training programs that aligned staff incentives with long-term profitability. Street emphasized pragmatic adaptations, such as investing in infrastructure and improvements, which helped sustain amid declining high-street . These efforts contributed to outperforming sector averages in sales growth during his tenure, though profit margins remained challenged by fixed costs and competition. He stepped down as managing director on 28 October 2016 after 31 years with the .

Political career

Entry into politics and parliamentary bids

Andy Street transitioned from a distinguished business career to in 2016, resigning as managing director of the John Lewis Partnership on 30 September after nearly 30 years with the company, including nine years in the top role, to pursue public service in the West Midlands region where he had deep professional roots. Prior to this shift, Street had engaged in civic and activities, notably serving as chair of the Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) from 2011, a body tasked with fostering business growth and skills training in collaboration with local authorities and central government. As a self-described political outsider with longstanding Conservative leanings but no prior elected office or party organizational roles, Street was selected by the Conservative Party as its candidate for the inaugural West Midlands mayoral election in September 2016, a decision influenced by his regional business credentials and reputation for pragmatic leadership. In interviews, he articulated his motivation as leveraging private-sector experience to address regional challenges like and infrastructure deficits, emphasizing that the devolved executive authority of the mayoralty offered greater scope for tangible impact than the legislative focus of national Parliament. Street did not pursue or secure nomination as a parliamentary candidate prior to his mayoral bid, viewing the regional role as better aligned with his expertise in place-based economic strategy over Westminster's partisan dynamics. This choice reflected a deliberate preference for devolution's potential to deliver localized outcomes, informed by his LEP tenure where he advocated for empowered regional decision-making to counter centralized policy shortcomings.

2017 West Midlands mayoral election

Andy Street was selected as the Conservative Party candidate for the inaugural West Midlands mayoral election on 30 September 2016. The election, held on 4 May 2017, used the supplementary vote system, with voters ranking up to two preferences. Street's main opponent was Labour's Sion Simon, a former Member of the European Parliament, alongside candidates from the Liberal Democrats, UK Independence Party, Green Party, and others. Street's campaign emphasized leveraging his business background to drive , improve transport connectivity, and enhance skills training across the region, positioning him as a pragmatic outsider focused on local priorities rather than national party politics. He pledged to prioritize job creation, infrastructure investments like rail and road networks, and development to address regional stagnation in a traditionally Labour-leaning area. In the first round of counting, Street received 216,280 votes (37.1%), slightly ahead of Simon's 210,259 (36.0%), with remaining votes distributed among minor candidates. After second preferences were allocated, Street secured victory by fewer than 4,000 votes, achieving approximately 50.4% to Simon's 49.6%. was 29.7% of the eligible electorate. Street's win marked him as the first Conservative to be elected as a metro mayor in , defying expectations in a region with strong Labour historical support. Following the result, he assumed the role of chair for the , immediately signaling intent to align its strategic priorities with campaign commitments on cross-regional economic renewal, transport integration, and skills alignment to employer needs, while committing to collaborate across party lines.

First mayoral term (2017–2021): Initiatives and outcomes

During his first term, Andy Street prioritized transport infrastructure improvements, including extensions to the Midland Metro tram network. In 2019, testing commenced for the Westside extension reaching Centenary Square in Birmingham, marking a key milestone in enhancing urban connectivity. Construction on the Edgbaston extension also advanced, with significant infrastructure installations completed by 2020, laying groundwork for subsequent openings. Efforts toward bus network reform included launching a unified public transport identity under West Midlands Transport in 2018, aiming for better integration of bus, rail, and tram services, though full franchising powers were pursued but not realized until later assessments. Street focused on economic development through job creation and skills initiatives, establishing targets for apprenticeships and investments in sectors like digital and . Pre-pandemic, the region saw growth, with rates in the West Midlands averaging around 5% in 2018, reflecting improvements from higher levels earlier in the decade. However, the led to significant job losses, prompting plans in 2021 to recover 100,000 positions amid a "horrible hit" to the local economy. On , Street advocated for replacing structural funds with enhanced Shared Prosperity Fund allocations to support regional trade and investment, emphasizing opportunities in post-deal for exports. Regional GDP growth remained positive pre-2020, contributing to uneven but advancing economic metrics before the 2020 contraction. Initiatives addressing social issues included forming the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce in 2017 to coordinate responses across agencies, supporting programs like that assisted over 400 individuals by 2021. Street committed to preserving land, opposing releases in favor of brownfield development to balance housing needs with , amid criticisms that such policies constrained supply despite vows to unlock government funding for alternatives. Contemporaneous critiques highlighted persistent rates and debates over , with empirical data showing the taskforce's collaborative approach but limited immediate reductions in rough sleeping amid broader economic pressures.

2021 re-election and second term (2021–2024): Key developments

Andy Street was re-elected as on 6 May 2021, defeating Labour candidate by a margin of 47,043 votes, securing 51.7% of the vote compared to Byrne's 46.9%. This result represented an increased majority from his narrow 2017 victory, achieved despite national challenges for the Conservative Party in local elections. In the early months of his second term, Street prioritized post-COVID-19 economic recovery, emphasizing job creation after the pandemic's "horrible hit" on regional . A June 2021 report highlighted challenges like uneven sectoral impacts but noted positive recovery signs, including coordinated rollout efforts that Street had championed regionally, with the West Midlands achieving strong progress in vaccinations by early 2021. He advocated for a "green recovery" aligned with net-zero goals, integrating sustainable initiatives into rebuilding plans. Street continued strong advocacy for high-speed rail infrastructure, particularly HS2, warning in October 2023 that curtailing the project would forfeit a "once in a generation opportunity to level up" the region and undermine economic connectivity. Research during his term quantified HS2's contributions, including substantial investment and development in the West Midlands prior to any scaling back. On investment zones, the West Midlands submitted a formal bid in October 2022 for zones to accelerate growth, new homes, and jobs; by November 2023, the region was designated an Investment Zone, which Street described as a measure to "turbocharge" the area's global attractiveness. Housing and skills initiatives advanced under Street's leadership, with the region on track to deliver 215,000 new homes by 2031 through accelerated building targets. Skills programs expanded via devolution deals, including a trailblazer agreement in early 2023 for greater control over adult education funding and the launch of retrofit bootcamps in November 2022 to train hundreds in energy-saving technologies. In February 2024, he opened an employment and skills hub in Walsall and outlined a 2024-2027 strategy focusing on multi-service facilities for jobseekers. Street criticized limitations in devolution powers, pushing for deeper authority over skills and other areas to address regional disparities more effectively. He also highlighted fiscal challenges from local council mismanagement, notably Birmingham City Council's effective bankruptcy in September 2023 due to a £760 million equal pay liability and other failures, which he called "deeply disturbing" and a letdown for residents deserving better governance. Despite such issues, Street maintained that broader regional efforts were enabling Birmingham to thrive amid the fallout.

2024 mayoral election defeat

In the campaign, incumbent Conservative Andy Street positioned himself as a personal "brand Andy" candidate, deliberately minimizing associations with the national Conservative Party amid its declining popularity. He focused on local priorities, pledging to create 425,000 new jobs and training opportunities over the next four years while expanding the region's transport network, building on prior achievements like securing £10 billion in government funding. This strategy aimed to appeal to voters disillusioned with Westminster politics, framing the contest as a choice of individual leadership rather than partisan allegiance. The election, held on 2 May 2024, resulted in a narrow defeat for , with Labour's Richard Parker securing victory by 1,508 votes after a recount in . Parker received 225,590 votes (37.8%), while obtained 224,082 (37.5%), in a first-past-the-post system with a turnout of 29.6%. Other candidates included Independent Akhmed Yakoob with 69,621 votes (11.7%) and Reform UK's Elaine Williams with 34,471 (5.8%). Analyses attributed Street's loss to a combination of factors, including widespread regional anti-Conservative sentiment driven by national issues such as economic pressures and party infighting, which overshadowed his local record despite the distancing effort. The candidacy notably fragmented the right-leaning electorate, with Williams's 34,471 votes—many of which might otherwise have gone to Street—exacerbating the tight margin in a region where Conservatives had previously held ground. This vote split highlighted challenges for incumbents tied to unpopular national brands, even when running personalized campaigns. In his concession on 4 May 2024, Street expressed disappointment but took full responsibility, refusing to blame national party dynamics or others, stating he could not "have it both ways" after running an independent-style campaign. He praised his team's efforts and the "incredible achievement" of a near-win in a Labour-leaning area, emphasizing seven years of regional progress over national "baggage." Street indicated he would reflect on his future, having given "everything" to the role.

Post-mayoral activities (2024–present)

Following his defeat in the West Midlands mayoral election on 2 May 2024, Street announced on 27 May 2024 that he would not seek selection as a Conservative candidate for Parliament in the upcoming general election, stating he had no desire to enter national politics at Westminster. In subsequent public commentary, Street has criticized elements within the Conservative Party for fixating on Reform UK, warning in an August 2024 interview that such an "obsession" risked consigning the party to opposition for two decades by alienating moderate voters. He reiterated this stance in a May 2025 interview, arguing that Conservatives must prevent voters from "falling in love" with Reform and instead reclaim the political centre ground where the party has historically succeeded. Street has advocated for moderate conservatism, describing a rightward shift as "political suicide" and urging the party to learn from his mayoral campaign's focus on pragmatic, voter-centric issues rather than ideological purity. On 3 October 2024, Street was appointed chair of the board of trustees at , effective 1 November 2024, with the aim of elevating the institution's international profile through enhanced cultural and economic contributions to the region. In this role, he has emphasized leveraging the theatre's potential as a key asset for Birmingham's creative sector.

Political positions

Economic and business policies

Andy Street's economic philosophy emphasizes private sector-driven growth, drawing from his tenure as managing director of the , where he prioritized competitiveness and productivity over excessive government intervention. He has critiqued centralized over-regulation, arguing that the "dead hand of " stifles regional dynamism and that of powers is essential to enable local leaders to foster and innovation without bureaucratic delays. This pro-market stance aligns with his advocacy for reducing regulatory burdens to attract businesses, viewing skills mismatches and productivity gaps as addressable through targeted, business-led initiatives rather than broad state interventionism. Central to Street's views is the promotion of employee ownership models, inspired by John Lewis's partnership structure, which he has defended as a superior alternative to traditional corporate forms for aligning worker incentives with long-term firm success and economic resilience. He argues empirically that such models enhance trust, motivation, and performance, as evidenced by John Lewis's status as a during his , and has urged against diluting them in favor of external capital raises that could undermine shared ownership benefits. Street extends this to broader policy, suggesting employee ownership can scale regionally to boost without relying on fiscal subsidies, countering narratives that prioritize state-led wealth redistribution over incentive-aligned private enterprise. On fiscal policy, Street advocates realism by opposing tax hikes that deter investment, positing that post-referendum state expansion has crowded out private growth and that trimming public expenditure is preferable to raising levies, which he sees as barriers to business expansion amid global uncertainties. He has expressed reservations about specific tax cuts, such as reductions in the top income tax rate, indicating a preference for balanced measures that sustain public services while prioritizing growth stimulation over ideological slashes. Regarding post-Brexit trade, Street acknowledges empirical setbacks for exporters, including heightened non-tariff barriers, but argues for leveraging regained sovereignty to pursue global agreements, such as with , to offset EU frictions and open new markets for manufacturing-heavy regions. He highlights opportunities in tariff-free under the EU deal while calling for eased export processes and deeper bilateral pacts to realize causal gains in trade volumes and economic output, rejecting in favor of pragmatic expansion.

Views on party reform and conservatism

Andy Street has consistently identified with the One Nation wing of the Conservative Party, emphasizing a pragmatic and inclusive form of aimed at broad electoral appeal rather than ideological rigidity. In reflections following his 2024 mayoral defeat, he argued that the party's national brand damage—stemming from internal divisions and policy missteps—undermined local candidates' focus on competence and delivery, contrasting this with his own campaigns that prioritized regional achievements over national controversies to maintain voter support in a diverse area. Street has critiqued intra-party efforts to emulate Reform UK, warning in August 2024 that an "obsession" with the party could consign Conservatives to opposition for two decades by alienating centrist voters. He reiterated this in October 2025 after the Conservative Party Conference, stating that attempts to "out-Reform Reform" through "false and divisive comments" only widened the gap in the political center ground, where the party historically dominated as the West's most electorally successful force. Street advocated instead for a non-divisive strategy that prevents voters from "falling in love" with Reform UK, positioning moderate conservatism as essential to reclaiming electability. His vision underscores unity over purity, drawing from electoral experience to argue that shifting rightward constitutes "political suicide" and that recapturing requires rejecting Reform-lite tactics in favor of competence-driven that rebuilds the party's national viability. This approach, he contended, addresses causal factors like voter fragmentation by prioritizing winnable ground over fringe appeals.

Social and regional issues

During his tenure as , Andy Street advocated for enhanced regional to reduce reliance on oversight from Westminster, securing a trailblazer deal on March 20, 2023, that granted the (WMCA) greater control over transport, skills training, housing investment, and adult education budgets, alongside £1.5 billion in funding over 30 years. Street described this as ending the "begging bowl culture" of constant negotiations, enabling localized decision-making to address regional economic levers more effectively. On housing, Street prioritized brownfield regeneration to meet demand without encroaching on land, launching a "Brownfield First" policy that incentivized development on derelict industrial sites and unlocked £200 million in WMCA funding for approximately 12,000 homes by March 2024. He argued that sufficient brownfield capacity existed in areas like the to deliver needed homes over the next decade without releases, issuing an eight-point pledge in February 2020 to oppose such developments and enforce 20% targets on regenerated sites. This approach challenged rigid protections by emphasizing urban reuse, with examples like a £5.3 million site redevelopment serving as a model. As the first openly gay directly elected metro-mayor, Street supported empirical efforts to address social disparities through strategies that prioritized economic opportunity over identity-based quotas or narratives of inherent victimhood. He established the West Midlands Race Equalities Taskforce in 2021, which produced a 2023 plan backed by data on regional inequalities—such as health outcome gaps where varies by up to 10 years across local authorities and employment disparities affecting ethnic minorities—to drive targeted interventions like skills programs without mandating preferential allocations. Street pledged to triple social housing delivery to 3,000 units annually by 2028 if re-elected in 2024, focusing on supply increases via brownfield sites to foster merit-based access rather than identity-driven entitlements. His framework rejected dependency models, instead linking social progress to broader regional productivity gains, as evidenced by WMCA's annual health roundtables chaired by Street to integrate data-driven levelling up.

Achievements and criticisms

Business and mayoral successes

As managing director of from 2007 to 2017, Andy Street navigated the retailer through the global financial crisis by adapting to evolving consumer habits, sustaining profitability amid economic downturns. Under his leadership, the company reported a 20% increase in pre-tax profits to £367.9 million in , alongside the creation of 4,300 new jobs that year. Street also drove significant online sales expansion, with internet sales rising 44% in the 2012 period to contribute substantially to overall revenue. Street's election as the first Conservative in May 2017 marked a historic victory in a traditionally Labour-dominated region, achieved through a campaign emphasizing pragmatic over partisan ideology. During his tenure from 2017 to 2024, the West Midlands achieved status as the UK's top-performing region for outside since 2011, with per capita GDP rising from £19,626 amid concurrent reductions in carbon emissions. Key infrastructure successes included major expansions of the system, such as securing funding for a seven-mile extension from to and advancing five new routes as part of a £6.1 billion transport investment over 15 years. In employment initiatives, his administration exceeded targets by training over 7,500 individuals for roles against a goal of 6,000, while generating 100,000 jobs in the two years following the . Street's advocacy for empowered regional decision-making, influencing subsequent national models by demonstrating effective local control over transport, housing, and skills funding to foster .

Controversies and policy critiques

Critics, including opposition figures in Birmingham, have accused Street of inadequate progress on during his mayoralty, pointing to rising rough sleeping figures in the region, which reportedly increased by around 20% in parts of the West Midlands between 2019 and 2023 amid national trends. Street responded that the issue proved more intractable than anticipated due to complex causal factors, including post-pandemic effects, benefit freezes, and net migration pressures exceeding 500,000 annually straining housing supply, while his administration allocated over £10 million to support services and piloted models. A specific point of contention arose in 2018 when Street faced backlash for a £2,200 taxpayer-funded trip to focused on initiatives, criticized as extravagant due to chauffeur-driven elements despite yielding insights into Nordic models. Street's advocacy for brownfield redevelopment over green belt expansion sparked rows with local councils, notably in 2022 when a West Midlands Combined Authority study he commissioned estimated higher brownfield availability in —claiming sites for thousands of homes—prompting criticism from the Labour-led leader for allegedly inflating figures to justify broader development pressures, though the study aimed to prioritize urban regeneration without encroaching on protected land. Street maintained no land was necessary for the region's housing needs over the next decade, emphasizing remediation of contaminated sites to meet targets of 20,000 annual homes, a stance defended against opposition but critiqued by environmental groups for potentially underestimating ecological impacts. His vocal support for HS2, including public challenges to in 2023 over potential northern leg cancellation, drew criticism from fiscal conservatives who argued the project—already over budget at £100 billion—exemplified inefficient infrastructure spending amid competing regional priorities like road upgrades. Street countered that scrapping it would "cancel the future" for connectivity, securing commitments for alternative investments like Midlands Rail Hub enhancements, though detractors noted the phase one completion risks ongoing delays and cost overruns not directly mitigated by his lobbying. Analyses of Street's narrow 2024 election defeat—by 1,508 votes to Labour's Richard Parker—highlighted national Conservative unpopularity as the dominant factor, with Street securing 241,510 first-preference votes (37.1%) against Parker's 230,506 (35.4%), but the right-wing vote fragmented as Reform UK's Elaine Williams took 60,186 (9.3%), splitting anti-Labour support in a first-past-the-post supplementary vote system where local incumbency failed to offset Westminster baggage. Critics from the left attributed the loss to policy shortcomings like uneven levelling-up delivery, while data indicated turnout at 27.3% and Parker's gains stemmed more from tactical anti-Tory voting than endorsements of his platform, underscoring how national scandals overshadowed regional records.

Honours

Awards and recognition

Street was appointed Commander of the (CBE) in the 2017 for services to and the retail industry. He received an honorary Doctor of University (DUniv) from the in 2015 in recognition of his contributions to . Birmingham City University awarded him an honorary degree in 2016 for his leadership in retail. Aston University also conferred an honorary degree upon him for similar regional economic impacts. In 2017, , elected him as an Honorary Fellow. Street was knighted in the 2025 New Year Honours for public and political service, particularly in his role as . This honour acknowledges his efforts in regional development and governance.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Street was born in , , on 11 February 1963, but relocated with his family to , before his first birthday. He spent his early childhood in before the family moved to , where his father worked as a salesman and his mother as a . Street's mother, Jacky, died from on her 83rd birthday in 2021, while his father, Derek, remained in the family's original home as of 2024. Street has consistently maintained discretion about his private life, avoiding detailed public commentary on family dynamics or personal relationships. He is openly and has been in a long-term with Conservative MP Michael , with whom he shares a holiday home in , . has publicly referred to Street as his "" in a 2021 interview, noting their close bond despite leading largely separate lives based in different regions. The relationship, which has described as enduring for over three decades, reflects Street's preference for privacy amid public roles in business and politics. Street has no children.

Public persona and interests

Andy Street has cultivated a public persona centered on pragmatic competence and regional advocacy, drawing from his extensive retail executive experience at , where he served as managing director from 2007 to 2016. This business-oriented style emphasizes practical outcomes over ideological positioning, as evidenced by his 2024 mayoral campaign strategy of de-emphasizing national Conservative Party affiliations in favor of a personalized "brand Andy" approach to appeal to voters disillusioned with Westminster politics. As the United Kingdom's first openly directly-elected metro mayor, elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2021, Street's personal identity has marked him as a trailblazer in public office, though he has publicly reflected on realizing his only in his thirties, prioritizing governance achievements in his communications. Street's non-political interests include cultural engagement, highlighted by his appointment on 1 November 2024 as chair of the board of trustees for the , a role he took to elevate one of the region's premier cultural venues internationally. His Oxford University background, where he studied at Keble College and led the , reflects an early affinity for analytical discourse and institutional leadership.

References

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