Mayor Brabin made the announcement during a speech to the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.

She told delegates: "I know there’s been a lot of chatter in the fringes this week about the future of our party, about leadership and ambition.

"And, whilst I can’t speak for others standing in front of you today, I will be seeking to lead the Labour Party – in the next mayoral election in West Yorkshire in 2028."

Mayor Brabin – who was previously Labour MP for Batley and Spen – became the county’s first elected mayor in 2021.

She went on to increase her majority in the May 2024 election.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s website states: "The Mayor holds powers on transport, housing, regeneration and finance.

"The Mayor works with the combined authority, regional partners, council leaders and business representatives for the benefit of West Yorkshire and its residents.

"The Mayor also holds the functions of the Police and Crime Commissioner and is supported by an appointed Deputy Mayor for Policing, Alison Lowe.

"The Mayor brings the region greater influence within Government at a national level, and alongside other metro Mayors, campaigns for greater devolution."

So far, Mayor Brabin’s tenure has been dominated by changes to public transport.

She is working to bring every bus locally under public control by 2028, and she has also committed to having "spades in the ground" for a tram system by 2028.

She has also pledged to tackle violence against women and girls.

Mayor Brabin came under repeated fire last year over the saga involving Bradford Interchange bus station.

The station was closed in January 2024 after a piece of concrete fell from the roof of an underground car park – finally reopening a year later.

Councillor Matt Edwards, leader of the Green Party on Bradford Council, voiced a number of concerns about the station’s closure – accusing WYCA of a "lack of transparency" and "woeful communication with the public and Bradford councillors".

At the time, Mayor Brabin said "silence" over the situation had been due to surveys on the structure taking time.

During her speech in Liverpool, Mayor Brabin praised Labour ministers Heidi Alexander and Lisa Nandy for backing her tram plans.

She also thanked them for lending their support to One Creative North – a partnership designed to support growth in the creative industries.

Mayor Brabin received a standing ovation for her speech.