2024 marks a historic year for the North East, with the upcoming election of a new regional mayor who will play a key role in shaping our region’s future.

That figurehead will lead a new combined authority that stretches across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and Durham and will represent around two million people.

The multi-billion pound devolution deal negotiated with the Government for the North East hands the mayor significant funding and decision-making powers that the region has not held before, such as the ability to take public control over bus services.

Ahead of the mayoral election on May 2, we have asked all six candidates the same 10 questions to give voters a sense of both their policies and their personalities.

READ MORE: 10 questions for Reform UK's North East mayoral candidate

Here, Liberal Democrat Aidan King discusses his big wind farm idea, being a junior doctor, and famous author Catherine Cookson.
 
Why should people care about the North East mayoral election? This election is a chance for transformative change in our region that could impact people across the North East for years to come. The new mayor has a wide array of powers that could do so much good and with the right person at the helm our region could be better than ever. I know the power this mayor will have and I’m determined to get the best for the North East.
 
If you could do one thing as mayor to improve people’s lives, what would it be? I would invest in a regional asset, Britain’s largest on-shore wind farm, that will transform the North East’s economy for years. This would provide energy security for families across the region and attract new businesses with the promise of green energy. This wind farm would be built in the North East, by people in the North East and would kickstart the new industrial revolution our region needs.
 
What is your favourite place in the North East, and why? Although our region is full of beautiful beaches, stunning countryside and the best towns and cities in the country, my favourite place in the North East is Embleton Bay in Northumberland. I often take my two boys there to go swimming in the sea and the view of the castle is truly breathtaking. 
 
What is (or was) your day job outside of politics? I am currently a junior doctor at the RVI hospital in Newcastle where I specialise in toxicology. I’m also renovating my own home, but I’m certainly no ‘Bob the Builder’! 
 
What is your proudest achievement in your political career so far? While I was a Newcastle city councillor during the Covid-19 pandemic, I wrote a 10-point action plan for vaccinations in communities that ended up being sent to Government where parts of it ended up as national policy.
 
Other than becoming the North East Mayor, what would your dream job be? I’m doing it – a doctor!
 
Who is your role model in life? For me it has to be Dr Malcolm Coulthard. He was the person who inspired me to become a doctor and has shaped my life hugely since then.
 
If you could ban one thing in the North East, what would it be? Lack of ambition! The North East is full of the best people who should be able to thrive at whatever they want to do. We’re a region renowned for our inventors and hard-working grafters, I want to make it so anyone and everyone can achieve their best potential.
 
If you could erect a statue somewhere in our region, who would it commemorate? There are so many unsung heroes in our region who deserve proper recognition, but if I had to pick one, it would be Catherine Cookson.

Although she’s best remembered for her books that have entertained millions of people across the country, in her lifetime, Catherine donated huge sums of money to medical research that has helped huge numbers of people. The charitable trust she set up continues to make a vital difference today with the great work they do.

If you didn’t win the mayoral election, which of the other candidates would you most like to win? I think all of the candidates have aspects that would make them a great mayor. Across all six of us, we agree that our region has been let down for years and we need our fair share from Government and this deal is just the first step. I’ll always get behind someone who is willing to put the hard graft in for residents in the North East.