Nik Johnson

Nik Johnson was born in Northumberland in 1969.{{Cite web|last=Hatton|first=Benjamin|date=2021-01-02|title=Meet Labour's candidate for the Cambridgeshire mayoral election|url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/meet-labours-candidate-cambridgeshire-mayoral-19532621|access-date=2021-05-08|website=CambridgeshireLive|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Behind the scenes with Peterborough's new metro mayor - the children's doctor thrust into high political office|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/politics/behind-the-scenes-with-peterboroughs-new-metro-mayor-the-childrens-doctor-thrust-into-high-political-office-3339570|access-date=2021-08-25|website=www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk|language=en}} He grew up in Hexham, Northumberland and trained as a doctor at St George's Hospital Medical School, qualifying in 1993.{{Cite web|title=General Medical Council|url=https://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/4026413|access-date=2021-05-10|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=MAYOR ELECTION: Children's doctor promises grown-up politics with 'compassion, co-operation and community'|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/politics/mayor-election-childrens-doctor-promises-grown-politics-compassion-co-operation-and-community-3082389|access-date=2021-05-08|website=www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk|language=en}} He has worked as a paediatrician at Hinchingbrooke Hospital since 2007.{{Cite web|last=Davies|first=Debbie|date=2020-11-26|title=Huntingdon doctor supports Carers Rights Day|url=https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/hinchingbrooke-doctor-is-supporting-carers-rights-day-6624584|access-date=2021-05-08|website=Hunts Post|language=en-UK}}{{Cite news|date=2021-04-19|title=Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayoral elections: The candidates who say they will be standing|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-55979435|access-date=2021-05-08}}

Johnson had an interest in politics from an early age, growing up in the 1980s he was aware of the societal changes in the UK (particularly in the industrial areas of North East England). Johnson started campaigning for Labour alongside his role as a junior doctor not long after qualifying.{{Cite web |title=Alum Dr Nik Johnson reflects on his route into politics and his time at St George |url=https://www.sgul.ac.uk/news/alum-dr-nik-johnson-reflects-on-his-route-into-politics-and-his-time-at-st-georges |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=www.sgul.ac.uk |language=en-GB}}

Johnson stood as the Labour Party candidate in the 2015 general election for the Huntingdon constituency. He came second with 18.3% of the vote. In 2017, he sought selection to be Labour's candidate in the inaugural Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayoral election but was not shortlisted.{{Cite web|last=Cliss|first=Sarah|date=2016-12-08|title=Hinchingbrooke paediatrician and political campaigner - Dr Nik Johnson - announces he wants to stand for devolution mayor role|url=https://www.cambstimes.co.uk/news/hinchingbrooke-paediatrician-and-political-campaigner-dr-nik-johnson-announces-he-4884490|access-date=2021-05-08|website=Cambs Times|language=en-UK}}{{Cite web|last=Elworthy|first=John|date=2020-11-16|title=NHS doctor bids to become Mayor|url=https://www.cambstimes.co.uk/news/cllr-dr-johnson-is-labour-s-choice-for-mayor-election-6620608|access-date=2021-05-08|website=Cambs Times|language=en-UK}} Later in that year, Johnson stood again as the Labour candidate for Huntingdon in the 2017 general election. He came second again, increasing his share of the vote to 30.9% and cutting the majority by 10.5%.{{Cite web|last=Day|first=Sophie|date=2017-06-09|title=GENERAL ELECTION 2017: Conservatives hold Huntingdon but Jonathan Djanogly's share is cut by Labour|url=https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/general-election-2017-conservatives-hold-huntingdon-but-jonathan-djanogly-s-5094002|access-date=2021-05-08|website=Hunts Post|language=en-UK}}

He unsuccessfully stood for election to Huntingdonshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council on six occasions from 2012 to 2017, before being elected as a Huntingdonshire district councillor for St Neots East in 2018.

Johnson was selected to be the Labour candidate by a vote of local party members in November 2020, beating the Cambridge city councillor Katie Thornburrow.{{Cite web|title=Labour selects NHS doctor as candidate for Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough election|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/politics/labour-selects-nhs-doctor-candidate-mayor-cambridgeshire-and-peterborough-election-3036985|access-date=2020-11-16|website=www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk|language=en}} In his campaign, he said would introduce bus franchising, alongside rebranding buses and providing free or subsidised bus travel to young people.{{Cite web|last=Hatton|first=Benjamin|date=2021-04-27|title=Labour candidate to be Cambridgeshire mayor lays out his policies|url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/labour-candidate-cambridgeshire-mayor-lays-20472864|access-date=2021-05-08|website=CambridgeshireLive|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Reporter|first=Ben Hatton, Local Democracy|date=2021-04-26|title=Here's what I will do as mayor says Labour's Nik Johnson|url=https://www.cambstimes.co.uk/news/nik-johnson-labour-candidate-mayoral-elections-7926074|access-date=2021-05-08|website=Cambs Times|language=en-UK}} He also said he would seek government funding to build more council houses. He also proposed renaming the combined authority to "Greater Cambridgeshire". Despite having stood as "Dr Nik Johnson" in four previous elections to public office, he was prevented from using his title on the ballot paper for this election.{{Cite web|last=Rutter|first=Harry|date=2021-04-28|title=NHS doctor 'banned from describing himself as 'Dr' on ballot paper'|url=https://www.cambstimes.co.uk/news/nhs-doctor-banned-from-dr-prefix-in-election-7933316|access-date=2021-05-10|website=www.cambstimes.co.uk|language=en}}

Johnson was elected to the role of Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in the 2021 mayoral election. Upon taking office, he became entitled to the style of Mayor.Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, s 107A(5). In the first round, he came in second place with 32.8% of the vote. He won in the second round when he received 72.7% of transferred second preferences from the eliminated Liberal Democrat candidate.{{Cite news|date=2021-05-08|title=Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor election: Labour wins|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-57001880|access-date=2021-05-08}} Residents of Johnson's village, Great Gransden, stood on the street and applauded his victory.{{Cite web|last=elworthy|first=john|date=2021-05-09|title=Villagers clap for newly elected metro mayor|url=https://www.cambstimes.co.uk/news/villagers-clap-for-new-mayor-dr-nik-7959504|access-date=2021-05-15|website=Cambs Times|language=en-UK}} He said he would continue to work half a day each week as a paediatrician.{{cite web|date=2021-05-13|title=End to £100k homes - but pledge to find a better way to deliver affordable homes as new mayor takes office|url=https://www.fenlandcitizen.co.uk/news/end-to-100k-homes-but-pledge-to-find-a-better-way-to-deli-9199109/|access-date=2021-05-15|website=Fenland Citizen}}

In 7 February 2025, Johnson announced that he would not be seeking re-election and saying it was "a step too far" and the heavy physical toll the role had taken on him.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-07 |title=Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor Nik Johnson standing down |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr46p7dpen2o |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} The Labour Party had not run a candidate adoption process by that date.{{cite news |url=https://labourlist.org/2025/05/news-labour-cambridgeshire-peterborough-candidates/ |title='Candidate selection delays cost Labour in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough' |last=Cole |first=David Landon |website=LabourList |date=8 May 2025 |access-date=8 May 2025}}

In his first week in office, Johnson cancelled plans for the Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro project that James Palmer, his Conservative predecessor, had supported.{{Cite web|title=Mayor Nik Johnson to scrap £2 billion metro project|url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/21434|access-date=2021-05-15|website=Varsity Online|language=en}} After suspending work on the proposed autonomous metro, Johnson commissioned a new transport plan focused on areas that have suffered from deprivation and equality, and on reducing carbon emissions.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-06|title=Cambridgeshire and Peterborough transport rethink is under way|url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/cambridgeshire-and-peterborough-transport-rethink-is-under-w-9210709/|access-date=2021-08-25|website=Cambridge Independent|language=en}}

He arranged for the combined authority to provide £350,000 to support investment in Peterborough railway station in August 2021.{{Cite web|title=Peterborough Station Quarter development given £350,000 to advance plans|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/politics/peterborough-station-quarter-development-given-ps350000-to-advance-plans-3359335|access-date=2021-08-25|website=www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk|language=en}}

During his first year in office, he officially launched the re-opened Soham station making sure that his predecessor James Palmer, who had been responsible for much of the project, was in attendance at the opening ceremony.[https://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/articles/new-station-soham New station opens at Soham] The station had been a victim of the Beeching cuts 56 years before.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-59628145 Soham railway station welcomes first passengers in 56 years]

In March 2023, the bid to the Levelling up Fund secured almost £48m of government funding to be delivered in £5m instalments to regenerate Peterborough's station quarter. The project, with additional funding from Peterborough City Council and other partners, is expected to cost about £65m in total.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ck5erp6415yo Station to get upgrade cash in chunks]

In July 2023, the Rail Delivery Group announced plans to close nearly all station ticket offices. Johnson teamed with other Directly elected mayors in England to make a legal challenge to this move. Johnson said: “Staffed, accessible ticket offices are an essential part of the rail network and must be protected. We’re making our views known to the train operators, objecting to their proposals for widespread closures".{{Cite web |last=McCrum |first=Kirstie |date=2023-07-17 |title=Mayor backs legal challenge to rail ticket office closures |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/mayor-backs-legal-challenge-rail-27341300# |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Cambridgeshire Live |language=en}} The campaign was successful resulting in Mark Harper, then Secretary of State for Transport, announcing that the Government was expecting the Train Operators to withdraw the proposals.{{Cite web |last=Timan |first=Joseph |date=2023-10-31 |title='Huge victory' as railway ticket offices to stay open after mayors' legal threat |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/huge-victory-railway-ticket-offices-28016079 |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}

The UK's transport minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, initially withheld funding for active travel in the region, which Johnson secured by offering his commitments to active travel and beginning the process to appoint an independent cycling tsar.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-16|title=Cycling tsar for Cambridgeshire to be appointed as mayor eyes travel funding|url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/cycling-tsar-for-cambridgeshire-to-be-appointed-as-mayor-eye-9212028/|access-date=2021-08-25|website=Cambridge Independent|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=elworthy|first=john|date=2021-08-06|title=A 'tsar' for cycling is the New Big Idea|url=https://www.cambstimes.co.uk/news/traffic/on-yer-bike-message-from-cambs-mayor-8216564|access-date=2021-08-25|website=Cambs Times|language=en-UK}}

In December 2023, Olympic gold medallist Chris Boardman, England’s active travel commissioner at the time, visited Cambridge to see the work going on in the county to get more people out of their cars. Johnson and the commissioner cycled the Chisholm Trail and took the guided busway from Cambridge North railway station to the new town of Northstowe to see for themselves some of the active travel infrastructure being designed from the ground up to serve the community. It was reported that "Active Travel England has given the Combined Authority and its partners a high rating for active travel ambition and delivery of projects, including the pedestrian and cycling footbridge at Peterborough’s busy Nene Parkway."[https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/olympic-gold-medallist-chris-boardman-visits-cambridge-to-di-9344103/ Olympic gold medallist Chris Boardman visits Cambridge to discuss active travel]

In March 2024, a local cycling campaigner, Mike Gough, tragically died in a collision with a van. Johnson paid tribute to Gough saying that amongst other things, Gough had inspired him to become interested in cycling. Johnson repledged himself to Vision Zero saying that the tragic death of his friend would not be forgotten.[https://www.cambsnews.co.uk/news/mayor-dr-nik-johnson-leads-tributes-to-cyclist-mike-gough-of-huntingdon/23534/ Mayor Dr Nik Johnson leads tributes to cyclist Mike Gough of Huntingdon] Johnson said that the Combined Authority had "pivoted" to ensure active travel within the county is a "high priority" and viewed through the lens of public health.{{cite web | url=https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/24453806.cambridgeshire-road-safety-following-mike-gough-death/ | title='We must go further': Cambs local authorities pledge to prioritise road safety | date=24 July 2024 }} After the election of a Labour Government in July 2024, the inaugural meeting of metro mayors and Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street saw Johnson wearing a cycling pin in memory of his friend.[https://x.com/NikJohnsonCA/status/1810757336929276213 Wearing in memory of a cycling friend]

Johnson welcomed reports of how E-scooter trials in the Cambridge area had taken nearly a million car trips off the roads, remarking that "It's important that e-scooter safety continues to improve, but the fact that the trial may get another two years will please many people in Cambridge - and a possible extension to communities outside the city could be exciting news for many villagers.".[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-68580814 Cambridgeshire e-scooter and bike trial area could be extended]

In March 2023, a new fleet of electric buses for Cambridge was launched with the full 30 due to be in operation by May that year. The buses are mainly operating on the Park & Ride routes. The new buses are funded by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Department for Transport, Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) and Stagecoach East. Johnson said it was "marking a turning point for public transport in the region".[https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/new-electric-buses-cambridge-hailed-26530517 New electric buses hailed]

In August 2024, new bus routes and increased frequencies funded by the mayoral precept started to be announced by bus operators including increased frequencies on the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway[https://www.cambsnews.co.uk/news/combined-authority-support-offers-huge-boost-to-cambridgeshire-bus-users/28256/ Combined Authority support offers huge boost to Cambridgeshire bus users] and new routes and boosted services in the East and North of the county.[https://dews-coaches.com/local-service-updates.php Local Bus Updates Dews coaches] However, some of the new routes have been delayed because of legal difficulties in contract negotiation.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-09 |title=Launch of tax rise-funded bus routes in Cambridgeshire is delayed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crrwrwjnvv0o |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

As well as new routes, Nik Johnson has worked to retain routes when bus operators cut services for example the Number 9 bus between Littleport and Cambridge[https://www.cambsnews.co.uk/news/mayor-dr-nik-johnson-saves-littleport-to-cambridge-bus-route/24019/ Mayor Dr Nik Johnson saves Littleport to Cambridge bus route]

In other moves to keep bus travel affordable, Johnson proposed to keep the £2 bus fare cap until the end of March 2025{{Cite web |date=2024-12-13 |title=Combined Authority Board approves subsidy to keep £2 bus fares |url=https://cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk/news/combined-authority-board-approves-subsidy-to-keep-2-bus-fares-to-march-2025/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk}} and that from May 2025 concessionary bus pass holders will be entitled to all-day free travel in the region.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-20 |title=All-day concessionary bus travel approved |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly64r0kw7go |access-date=2025-02-02 |publisher=BBC}}

In 2023, Johnson added the mayoral precept to council tax bills in the Cambridge and Peterborough area. The precept added £12 a year to a Band D Council tax bill. The charge was explained as needed to provide further subsidies to bus routes that might otherwise have been cancelled by providers for not being profitable.{{Cite web |date=25 January 2023 |title=£12 increase to council tax |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/combined-authority-mayors-12-tax-26071957 |language=en}} In 2024, the precept was increased to £36 per year for a Band D household.{{Cite web |title=200% increase to Mayoral Precept |url=https://www.star.radio/news/local-news/cambridgeshire-mayor-plans-to-treble-tax-precept/#:~:text=Dr%20Nik%20Johnson%20wants%20to,would%20have%20otherwise%20stopped%20running. |language=en}} At the start of 2025, Johnson announced that he would freeze the precept for the following financial year.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-16 |title=Mayoral precept freeze and £2 bus cap extension among combined authority budget proposals |url=https://www.fenlandcitizen.co.uk/news/mayoral-precept-freeze-and-2-bus-cap-extension-among-combin-9400201/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Fenland Citizen |language=en}}

In May 2024, Johnson launched the 'Tiger Pass', a free pass that entitles those under 25 to travel on buses in the Combined Authority area for a flat fare of £1. Over 2,500 were applied for in the first week after launch,{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Lorna |date=2024-06-08 |title=Thousands apply for free bus pass in Cambs in first week scheme |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/thousands-apply-free-bus-pass-29289029 |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=Cambridgeshire Live |language=en}} with over 17,000 applications received by August that year.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-05 |title=Youth bus passes taken up by 17,000 in Cambs and Peterborough |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd1x3n47l71o |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

In December 2024, Johnson launched the 'Tiger on Demand' bus service, a way of providing public transport in more rural areas and part of the move towards branding local public transport 'Tiger'.{{YouTube|8vXl3Zsqbjo|Tiger on Demand launched}} The service is available in West Huntingdonshire. Additional areas to be launched include: Fenland, East Cambridgeshire and South Cambridgeshire.{{cite web |title=Tiger on Demand |url=https://transport.cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk/buses/tiger-on-demand/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk}}

At a board meeting of the Combined Authority in July 2024, it was agreed to consult on full bus franchising for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough meaning that Johnson's pledge to introducing franchising is coming nearer to fruition.[https://cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk/news/consultation-to-help-decide-the-future-of-the-regions-buses-given-the-go-ahead/ Consultation to decide the future of the region's buses given the go-ahead]

The public consultation, held from August to November last year, saw 63 per cent of more than 1,600 respondents back franchising.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-07 |title=Cambs buses to be franchised as Mayor announces biggest shake-up in 40 years |url=https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/24918736.buses-cambridgeshire-franchised-late-2027/ |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=The Hunts Post |language=en}} Johnson announced that franchising was going to happen and signed the papers in early February 2025. Johnson said it was the "most significant and exciting reform of our region’s bus network in forty years".{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Lorna |date=2025-02-07 |title=Huge travel overhaul announced as mayor confirms Cambridgeshire bus franchising |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/huge-travel-overhaul-announced-mayor-30959115 |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=Cambridgeshire Live |language=en}}

Although Johnson is prioritising the development of public and ‘active’ transport modes, he also recognises that the private car remains a key mode for many residents across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Examples include: improvements to the A141 at St Ives,[https://www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk/news/ps6-million-combined-authority-take-a141-st-ives-improvements-forward £6 million from Combined Authority to take A141 St Ives Improvements forward] a new bridge at Kings Dyke to remove delays at a level crossing[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-62106250 King's Dyke bridge opens after 50-year bid to replace level crossing] and in Peterborough at the A1260 Nene Parkway Junction 3.[https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/93million-peterborough-nene-parkway-junction-26399922 Peterborough Nene Parkway junction improvement scheme moves step closer]

In December 2024, Johnson welcomed an additional £10 million of funding from the UK Government to fix potholes in the region's roads.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-26 |title=Mayor welcomes £10m extra funding to fix potholes and repair roads |url=https://www.fenlandcitizen.co.uk/news/mayor-welcomes-10m-extra-funding-to-fix-potholes-and-repair-9397586/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Fenland Citizen |language=en}}

In June 2021, Johnson made sure that all combined authority staff were paid a living wage and started discussions with trade unions.{{Cite web|last=Knott|first=Jonathan|date=2021-06-28|title=Nik Johnson: 'I'm somebody the government wants to do business with'|url=https://www.lgcplus.com/politics/workforce/nik-johnson-im-somebody-the-government-wants-to-do-business-with-28-06-2021/|access-date=2021-08-25|website=Local Government Chronicle (LGC)|language=en}}

Backing for skills training: In July 2021, the combined authority agreed to provide £1,800,000 of new funding to train more than 800 people starting in March 2022.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-29|title=£1.8m funding for skills bootcamps to help people in Cambridgeshire into better jobs|url=https://www.fenlandcitizen.co.uk/news/1-8m-funding-for-skills-bootcamps-to-help-people-in-cambrid-9209540/|access-date=2021-08-25|website=Fenland Citizen|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=£1.8m to deliver new digital skills secured by mayoral body|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/politics/ps18m-to-deliver-new-digital-skills-secured-by-mayoral-body-3330358|access-date=2021-08-25|website=www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk|language=en}} In September 2023, the Combined Authority agreed to invest £2m in a Carbon Net Zero centre at the College of West Anglia in Wisbech which is about half the monies required.[https://www.cambsnews.co.uk/news/4m-net-zero-training-centre-to-be-built-in-wisbech/14881/ New net zero training centre to be built] During Care Leavers week in November 2023, it was announced that 100 care leavers had benefited from a bursary set up by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority to fund education and training to support their futures.[https://www.cambsnews.co.uk/news/local-council/cambridgeshire-and-peterborough-combined-authority/100-care-leavers-win-combined-authority-backing-to-support-training/16787/ 100 care leavers win Combined Authority backing to support training] In August 2024, £280k+ of grants were awarded to support the lifelong learning and skills offer for adults in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough including for those with low skills or complex needs.[https://cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk/news/over-280000-awarded-in-grants-to-support-adult-learning-and-skills-development-in-cambridgeshire/ Over £280000 awarded to support adult learning]

Johnson is keen to back innovation to drive growth and skilled employment. Examples include £3.5m of Combined Authority funding for Agricultural technology at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany research centre in Histon.{{cite web |title = Mayor tours NIAB facilities | url = https://cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk/news/mayor-tours-niab-facilities-to-see-how-combined-authority-funding-is-cultivating-regions-agri-tech-sector/}} In November 2024, together with the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham Johnson, opened The Glasshouse, a new centre in Hills Road, Cambridge for science and tech firms to share ideas and expertise.{{cite news | title = Manchester mayor helps to open partnership hub | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr7nzg4ky28o#:~:text=Burnham%20and%20his%20Cambridgeshire%20and,we%20can%20achieve%20something%20special.%22&text=Dr%20Diarmuid%20O'Brien%2C%20Pro,.%20and%20create%20more%20quickly.%22&text=Dr%20O'Brien%20said%20the,in%20places%20across%20the%20US.}}

In December 2024, Johnson visited the Construction Hub at Cambridge Regional College where £2.5m of Combined Authority grant is supporting training in general construction skills and trades, including carpentry, electrical, and bricklaying and he spoke about giving "learners the best possible start on their journey to the working world".{{Cite web |date=2024-12-18 |title=Mayor sees £2.5m investment in construction skills at college |url=https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/24782301.mayor-cambridgeshire-peterborough-tours-crc-hub/ |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=The Hunts Post |language=en}}

Johnson's work as a paediatrician gave him a strong understanding of the difficulties for families where a son or daughter has a learning disability and led him to become a patron of Eddies, a local Cambridgeshire charity delivering projects for people with a learning disability and their families.https://eddies.org.uk/about-us/who-are-we/

Dr Johnson is a co-chair of the Health Devolution Commission, an independent cross-party and cross-sector body working to champion and support the successful implementation of devolved and integrated health and social care services across England.https://healthdevolution.org.uk/about/

Early in his term, Johnson appointed a board member with responsibility for Public Health in the Combined Authority region. The initial holder of the post is Councillor Chris Boden.[https://cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk/news/combined-authority-board-members-start-roles-championing-public-health-and-the-environment/ appointments on public health]

In September 2024 Johnson was one of nine UK metro mayors who together with Jamie Oliver pledged to stop junk-food advertising and prioritise children’s health.[https://obesityhealthalliance.org.uk/2024/09/25/uk-mayors/ Mayors sign pledge to end Junk Food Advertising]

In June, Johnson announced a plan to submit a bid for the combined authority to become the UK City of Culture focused on Peterborough, Cambridge and Ely.{{Cite web|last=Hatton|first=Benjamin|date=2021-06-03|title=Mayor announces intention for Cambs 'county of culture' bid|url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/mayor-announces-intention-cambs-county-20728980|access-date=2021-08-25|website=CambridgeshireLive|language=en}} However, he did not make a bid, citing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on culture in the region and a lack of time to prepare a good enough bid.{{Cite web|last=Wilde|first=Gabrielle|date=2021-08-21|title=Cambridge and Peterborough not running for UK City of Culture 2025|url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/cambridge-peterborough-not-running-uk-21362689|access-date=2021-08-25|website=CambridgeshireLive|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-08-25|title=Combined Authority backtracks on plans for City of Culture 2025 bid|url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/combined-authority-backtracks-on-plans-for-city-of-culture-2-9212837/|access-date=2021-08-25|website=Cambridge Independent|language=en}}

In August 2021, he won the support of the combined authority to provide £1.1m to a development project in the town of March in order to prevent it losing a government grant of several more millions of pounds.{{Cite web|last=Mason|first=Daniel|date=2021-08-12|title=Dr Nik helps save March high street project|url=https://www.cambstimes.co.uk/news/local-council/march-councillors-delighted-as-town-project-saved-8231594|access-date=2021-08-25|website=Cambs Times|language=en-UK}}

On 14 November 2023 he was found to have breached the authority’s code of conduct in relation to “civility” and “disrepute” for which he was asked to make a written apology.{{Cite news|title=Cambridgeshire mayor's 'regret' after conduct inquiry|work=BBC News |date=14 November 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-67417480|access-date=2023-11-15|language=en}}

The Conservative leaders of East Cambridgeshire District Council and Fenland District Council continued to raise the matters that had been investigated and resolved. In March 2024, they were warned by the Combined Authority's legal officer that they were putting the Authority at risk of a legal challenge.{{Cite news | title = Bailey and Boden thwarted in bid to resurrect code of conduct complaint against Mayor Nik Johnson | url = https://www.cambsnews.co.uk/news/bailey-and-boden-thwarted-in-bid-to-resurrect-code-of-conduct-complaint-against-mayor-nik-johnson/23498/}}

Johnson faced attacks from other Conservative opponents, this led in November 2024 to two Conservative county councillors being found by a conduct committee hearing to have made “immensely discourteous and uncivil” remarks about him that "fell below the standard required of members in relation to accuracy and fairness”.{{Cite news |title = ‘Uncivil’ Cambridgeshire councillors breach code of conduct |url = https://www.cambsnews.co.uk/news/uncivil-cambridgeshire-councillors-breach-code-of-conduct/32951/}} In further action at the start of 2025 the Combined Authority banned one of the councillors concerned from holding any positions for a year (the other councillor having voluntarily withdrawn from the Authority).{{Cite web |last=Elworthy |first=John |date=2025-01-28 |title=Twitter jibe Tory councillor barred from Combined Authority |url=https://www.cambsnews.co.uk/news/twitter-jibe-tory-councillor-barred-from-cambridgeshire-combined-authority/34765/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |language=en-GB}}

Johnson is married to Donna McShane and has three children.

From November 2022 he took four months leave of absence from his mayoral duties while he underwent heart surgery and recuperation under surgeons at Papworth Hospital.[https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/politics/combined-authority-mayor-to-take-leave-of-absence-due-to-heart-surgery-3909683 Combined Authority Mayor to take leave of absence due to heart surgery][https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/health/cambridgeshire-and-peterborough-mayor-nik-johnson-returns-to-office-after-medical-leave-4054262 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor Nik Johnson returns to office after medical leave]

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Category:Mayors of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century English politicians

Category:Labour Party (UK) mayors

Category:1969 births

Category:Labour Co-operative combined authority mayors and deputy mayors