BATTLE lines were drawn at the first Greater Manchester Mayoral debate – and candidates made it clear why they should be chosen to lead the city region.

On Friday, Mayoral candidates Sean Anstee, Jane Brophy and Andy Burnham MP met at The Midland for their first debate ahead of the mayoral elections on May 4.

And the candidates’ took the opportunity to lay out their visions for the role and their priorities for Greater Manchester.

In his opening speech, Conservative candidate and Trafford Council Leader Sean Anstee said that Greater Manchester is on the “verge of something special”.

“I am not in this race just to make up the numbers, I’m here to try and win it because Greater Manchester deserves a Mayor who has an ambition for our city,” he said.

“We are a global city, with global potential, we need an outward-looking Greater Manchester, confident on the international stage, attracting inward investment, creating high value jobs, using Manchester Airport and our universities to help trade with the world and to see investment in our infrastructure.”

A city region easier to get around, increased profitability and productivity of businesses, jobs which offer decent pay with promotion opportunities, and a health and social care system that concentrates on wellbeing and employment were all priorities.

“Over the last four years, I have been pivotal in arguing the case that decisions about Greater Manchester shouldn’t just be made in Westminster – that we are bold enough, brave enough and capable enough to determine our own future,” added Mr Anstee.

“There will be some really tough choices along the way. I think we are at a defining moment about choosing who we think is best placed to take those decisions and realise the ambition to be a global, wealthier city region where everybody is able to realise their potential.

“For me, politics is about helping people to realise their hopes and dreams, it is about being resilient enough to advance the interests of the many over the few. I will be that mayor and together we can create a new, bold Greater Manchester.”

Liberal Democrats’ candidate and Trafford councillor Jane Brophy tackled the ongoing issue of the NHS and reiterated her support for the Remain campaign.

“We are facing real problems in the NHS and social care and we need real solutions, not just the same old political platitudes of the last 30 years,” she said.

"We are deeply divided, not just as a country but as a region. The referendum result of last year made that all too clear. I believe our place in the world and our continuing prosperity is best secured by being in Europe, at its heart and not just pushed to the side-lines. However, I respect the result and believe we must fight to retain our place within the single market and whatever deal is reached over the next few years, we should all have a say on that deal.”

Ms Brophy said that the North-South economic divide needs to be addressed and that this can only be done by having a strong, local and highly skilled workforce.

“Top down skills have failed to deliver this, the training hasn’t worked and as your mayor I would make sure it is a priority to prepare everyone so that we all have the opportunity to step forward to a brighter future of work, prosperity and higher paid jobs,” she added.

“I want Greater Manchester to be a world class, outward looking international city that welcomes the world and all the benefits it can bring.”

Ms Brophy said that the region needs a fully integrated and greener transport system. She also said she is against green belt development and that green spaces needed safeguarding.

“We are building a sprawling city of the 19th century when we are living in the 21st century,” she added. “We need fresh thinking to tackle climate change and air pollution to ensure we have a safe world for our children.

“I want to be an open, transparent mayor, who welcomes everyone, breaking down the barriers between voters and politicians. I want us to be a shining, tolerant beacon to the rest of the country and the world. I want us to be united in tackling the problems that this city faces after years of failure and false promises from our politicians.”

Labour candidate and MP for Leigh Andy Burnham was the last to speak. He said all eyes are on Greater Manchester to see if it rises to the challenge of devolution.

“What Greater Manchester needs now more than ever is strong, experienced, political leadership and that is what I can provide,” he said.

Mr Burnham said that the feeling that Northerners were treated as second class and didn’t get a fair deal is what led him to enter politics.

Like Ms Brophy, NHS and health and social care was a priority.

“The health service, as part of the devolution deal, needs to be at the forefront of everybody’s minds, as a former health secretary I am well placed to ensure that Greater Manchester rises to that challenge and has a health service that is better than the rest,” he said.

Mr Burnham talked about his support of the families of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster.

“If I was the sort of person who only thought about their career I would have walked away,” he said.

“I am somebody who cares passionately about the voices of people from the North West of England and I took their fight back to Whitehall and stood up for those families, I took on the establishment and that’s what Greater Manchester needs. Somebody who will fight for a fair deal for people here, who will stand up to the powers that be and be a true voice for them, a strong voice.”

Mr Burnham said he would put young people at the heart of his mayoral manifesto, look to solve the housing crisis and bring social care into the NHS.

“Now is the time for Greater Manchester to get its voice heard more loudly than ever before and that is what I would do if I’m elected as your first mayor,” he concluded.

The candidates went on to debate issues, including the impact of Brexit on the region, homelessness and the possibility of a congestion charge for Greater Manchester, as well as the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF).