Selby and Ainsty by-election candidates have their say – Part 6

This is the sixth and final article of a series of six.

Voters across parts of the district will be heading to the polls on Thursday (July 20), when Selby and Ainsty holds a by-election triggered by the dramatic resignation last month of MP Nigel Adams. 

Most of the Selby and Ainsty constituency lies beyond our district’s borders – it stretches almost as far as Goole and Doncaster – but its northern end does encompass Huby, Follifoot, Spofforth and some of the villages in the Vale of York, such as Tockwith, Green Hammerton and Long Marston. 

There’s a broad field to choose from – there are 13 candidates – but who are they, and what do they believe? 

In the lead-up to the by-election, we’ve been spotlighting two or three each day, giving constituents the opportunity to read about the people who wish to represent them at Westminster – in their own words. 

So far, we’ve featured Andrew Gray (independent), Claire Holmes (Conservative), Mike Jordan (Yorkshire Party), Dave Kent (Reform UK), Keir Mather (Labour), Nick Palmer (independent), Guy Phoenix (Heritage Party), Sir Archibald Stanton (Official Monster Raving Loony Party), and Matt Walker (Liberal Democrats), Arnold Warneken (Green Party), and John Waterston (Social Democratic Party).

Continuing to take their surnames in alphabetical order, our final candidates are Luke Wellock of the Climate Party, and Tyler Callum Wilson-Kerr, independent.

Luke Wellock, Climate Party 

A centre-right party founded in 2022 that is “100% focused on climate change”. 

“The Climate Party is Britain’s only single-issue party focused solely on solving the climate and biodiversity crisis. We will do so by mobilising businesses, both big and small, to seize the zero-carbon economic opportunity.  

“The Met Office has just confirmed that June 2023 was the hottest June ever recorded in the UK. Climate change is no longer something we can deal with in the future, it is here now.   

“The current government’s target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 is simply not soon enough. They’re choosing to kick the can down the road, risking our futures, and leaving Britain behind in the low-carbon industrial revolution race. 

“The Climate Party has an alternative vision: we want Britain to become a sustainable economic powerhouse, leading the world when it comes to tackling climate change.  

“Firstly, we will introduce a target to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2030. Yes, that’s a mere seven years from now, but when it came to the Covid pandemic or the banking crisis, which threatened all our futures, we worked at pace to find solutions. We need the same resolve when it comes to climate change. 

“We will drive unprecedented investment in renewable energy. This will make us energy-independent and bring an end to our reliance on expensive fossil fuels which have been at the heart of the cost-of-living crisis. We will work with the construction industry to rapidly roll out a retrofit programme, helping millions of people living in poorly insulated homes to cut their energy use and lower their bills.  

“We will incentivise businesses to innovate and create jobs in exciting new industries like energy storage, and encourage and support our farmers to embrace regenerative agriculture practices to ensure our food security and restore our countryside. 

“We will halt greenbelt development, and empower local communities to protect and re-wild their natural spaces. We will electrify our local, regional and national public transport networks, and make them affordable and accessible to everyone. 

“A zero-carbon Britain is a Britain we will all benefit from, so on July 20 please vote for me to choose a better future.”

 Tyler Callum Wilson-Kerr, Independent 

The youngest candidate standing, this proud 24-year-old Yorkshireman from Garforth works for an aerospace engineering firm in Leeds and is a councillor for Aberford & District Parish.  

“I may be a young Tyke at 24, but I’m a grafter, working as an aerospace engineer and formerly as a Tesco keyworker in lockdown. I also am devoted to public service, being a Parish Councillor for Aberford & District Parish Council, and I wish to see better lives for everyone who lives not just in this constituency, but across Britain.

“By my campaigning for a One Yorkshire Devolution over the last two years, I have created a network of influence in Westminster. By speaking with MPs of all parties, talking to journalists, appearing on national radio, writing articles in The Yorkshire Post and other regional newspapers, I have played a part in getting Yorkshire noticed down in Whitehall, and helped create a new energy in Yorkshire politics.

“The facts speak for themselves – people in Yorkshire have fewer job opportunities, lower wages, higher bills, worse NHS outcomes, more potholes, fewer buses, worse trains, and less self-confidence than other regions of Britain which have home rule on a Devolved Assembly basis,
like in London, Wales, and Scotland.

“Yorkshire is Bigger than London and more populous than Wales and Scotland, yet we have no similar powers over ourselves nor a strong say in where our taxes are spent. For example, I’m certain the people of Selby would rather see their tax money spent on re-opening 24-hour service at Selby War Memorial Hospital rather than it being wasted on Rwanda deportation flights or paying for Rishi Sunak’s jet fuel as he waltzes around the world.

“I shall use the office of MP to put together the Yorkshire Act (2024), a Parliamentary Bill to create a form of Yorkshire Home Rule. Yorkshire is big enough, clever enough, and happy enough to rule itself. This is the way to create a stronger, richer, more united Britain, and stop the secessionist movements in Scotland and Wales, by taking the wind out of the sails of independence parties who seek to divide Britain.

“I am in this election for Yorkshire. A vote for Cllr Tyler Callum Wilson-Kerr is a vote of confidence for the future of Yorkshire.”

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Selby and Ainsty by-election candidates have their say – Part 5

This article is the fifth of a series of six.

Voters across parts of the district will be heading to the polls on Thursday (July 20), when Selby and Ainsty holds a by-election triggered by the dramatic resignation last month of MP Nigel Adams. 

Most of the Selby and Ainsty constituency lies beyond our district’s borders – it stretches almost as far as Goole and Doncaster – but its northern end does encompass Huby, Follifoot, Spofforth and some of the villages in the Vale of York, such as Tockwith, Green Hammerton and Long Marston. 

There’s a broad field to choose from – there are 13 candidates – but who are they, and what do they believe? 

In the lead-up to the by-election, we’re spotlighting two or three each day, giving constituents the opportunity to read about the people who wish to represent them at Westminster – in their own words. 

So far, we’ve featured Andrew Gray (independent), Claire Holmes (Conservative), Mike Jordan (Yorkshire Party), Dave Kent (Reform UK), Keir Mather (Labour), Nick Palmer (independent), Guy Phoenix (Heritage Party), Sir Archibald Stanton (Official Monster Raving Loony Party), and Matt Walker (Liberal Democrats).

Continuing to take their surnames in alphabetical order, today’s candidates are Arnold Warneken of the Green Party, and John Waterston of the Social Democratic Party.

Tomorrow: Luke Wellock (Climate Party), and Tyler Callum Wilson-Kerr (independent).

Arnold Warneken, Green Party 

A progressive, left-wing environmentalist party that has been campaigning for environmental approach to legislation since it was founded in 1990. 

“I’ve lived and worked in the Ainsty area for nearly 40 years. Back in the 1990s I was branded ‘Harrogate council’s conscience’ by the then chief executive. I still have a reputation for getting things done, and I work hard for residents all year round, not just at election time. 

“I currently sit on Selby planning committee, Ainsty drainage board, and North Yorkshire Moors National Park Authority, so I have considerable experience of decision-making in local government. 

“I am already campaigning on 20’s Plenty to cut speed limits, and on river quality at North Yorkshire Council. 

“I am free to speak up in Westminster for this constituency, because I’m not told how to vote by Green Party bosses. 

“But being a candidate for a small party does not mean that I am a lone force. I lead a skilled team with wide expertise, and I could not be an effective MP without this team. 

“If you are usually a Labour vote, by voting Green you are telling Labour to put proportional representation in their manifesto, re-instate their green funding, and cancel new oil. 

“If you are usually a Conservative voter, by voting Green you are telling the Tories to allow onshore wind, fund the NHS, and stop dumping sewage. 

“The Green Party already has a well-respected MP, two members of the House of Lords, over 750 elected councillors, and four local parish/town councillors. 

“Greens have solutions which marry environmental and social justice, enabling lower energy bills AND saving the planet, by investment in renewables and home insulation. We believe in universal basic income, renationalising public utilities, a minimum wage of £15/hour, and ending NHS privatisation. 

“Drax must move from ‘burning stuff’ to become a genuinely renewable energy supplier, with long-term employment prospects. Drax’s current subsidy of £1.7m/day could power a resilient carbon-neutral future. 

“Farming payments need switching to nature-friendly systems to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, encourage wildlife, and end factory farming. 

“Voting Labour or Conservative won’t change this government yet, but another Green MP will make a huge difference in Parliament, so please give me that opportunity.”

John Waterston, Social Democratic Party 

A Eurosceptic, socially conservative party that espouses centre-left economic policy and supports a social market economy. 

“I have lived here for 31 years and raised two children alongside my wife, Ruth, and we have both worked in the area all of that time.

“I believe the role of a constituency MP is exactly that – a representative for constituents and an influencer on their behalf. 

“Crime and Justice: I want to help address the inefficiencies in local policing who deal with public nuisance and anti-social behaviour. I live in the centre of Selby and witness how it strangles the activity and economic success of the town.

“Youth: There is very little to interest, stimulate or engage them. I grew up in a community that had similar challenges and have a range of ideas that could meet this challenge, which directly links with the public nuisance concerns.

“Transport: The bus services post-lockdown have essentially collapsed, from a position that was already inadequate.

“Communities are left with one or two routes per week, restricting movement to daytime hours. It restricts the economy, and crucially, employment opportunities are lost, because without a car, it is impossible to get to work for most shifts. I want to address this urgently.

“Failure to support our economy: There has been no effort and no imagination in how to stimulate a new economy for the 21st century. Tourism could be a key asset. Making connections in Asia and elsewhere, if coordinated with more quality hotel accommodation, would pay great dividends. 

“We are a hub for the boating community and that needs to be supported and encouraged. We are geographically blessed by way of transport links to Manchester, Edinburgh and London, all within two hours. The A1(M) is 10 minutes away, providing access to the M62 and the M18. We are the gateway to the North Yorkshire coast. It is a tremendous place to set up a business or set up a home, as I discovered 31 years ago, and the people here deserve better support than they are getting.

“This is why the people of Selby and Ainsty should vote for me.”

 

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Selby and Ainsty by-election candidates have their say – Part 4

This article is the fourth of a series of six.

Voters across parts of the district will be heading to the polls on Thursday (July 20), when Selby and Ainsty holds a by-election triggered by the resignation last month of MP Nigel Adams. 

Most of the Selby and Ainsty constituency lies beyond our district’s borders – it stretches almost as far as Goole and Doncaster – but its northern end does encompass Huby, Follifoot, Spofforth and some of the villages in the Vale of York, such as Tockwith, Green Hammerton and Long Marston. 

There’s a broad field to choose from – there are 13 candidates – but who are they, and what do they believe? 

In the lead-up to the by-election, we’re spotlighting two or three each day, giving constituents the opportunity to read about the people who wish to represent them at Westminster – in their own words. 

So far, we’ve featured Andrew Gray (independent), Claire Holmes (Conservative), Mike Jordan (Yorkshire Party), Dave Kent (Reform UK), Keir Mather (Labour), Nick Palmer (independent), and Guy Phoenix (Heritage Party).

Continuing to take their surnames in alphabetical order, today’s candidates are Sir Archibald Stanton of the Monster Raving Loony Party, and Matt Walker of the Liberal Democrats.

Tomorrow: Arnold Warneken (Green Party), and John Waterston (Social Democratic Party).

Sir Archibald Stanton, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party 

Urging the electorate to “vote for insanity”, the party’s policy proposals include preventing identity theft by calling everyone Chris, and introducing a Board of Bribery which would set standardised rates on the principle of “sleaze for the many, not just the few”. 

“Good people of Selby and Ainsty, Sir Archibald Stanton is the Official Monster Raving Loony Party candidate for your constituency on July 20, 2023. 

“We are a party that’s on everyone’s side, no matter what your political persuasion may be. Yes, just like you, we have seen it all before, heard it all before and still don’t believe it. 

“Let’s shake them up, between us we can show them that we do care about our country. 

“Here’s a brief selection from our Manicfesto:- 

“Together we can make your constituency very proud, the wonderful district that changed the face of modern-day politics. 

“The Monster Raving Loony Party are the only OFFICIAL Party – all the rest are unofficial. 

“Don’t let apathy win this election. 

“Please remember the only wasted vote is one that’s not used, so if you don’t usually vote then vote unusually. 

“Look out for the top hat symbol on your polling card and put a large X in the box for Loony, in the certain knowledge that you have carried out your democratic duty. You’ve got nothing to lose. 

“Look out for Archie and his right-hand man Gilly on the campaign trail. 

“And don’t forget – a vote for Sir Archibald is a vote for the future. 

“Vote Sir Archibald Stanton on July 20, 2023 – you know it makes sense.”

Matt Walker, Liberal Democrats 

Matt Walker currently represents Knaresborough West on North Yorkshire County Council. The Liberal Democrats have usually come third in Selby and Ainsty, so will need to benefit from a considerable shift in the electoral landscape if they are to win this time. 

“I’m delighted to have been selected as the local Liberal Democrat candidate for Selby and Ainsty. As a candidate I will be a passionate campaigner for the area, listening to residents’ views and championing their issues. 

“Residents across Selby and Ainsty have been let down, our NHS is on its knees. In my professional life I am a manager in the NHS, and in one of my previous roles I spent time managing the GP out-of-hours and minor injuries unit at Selby Memorial Hospital. I’ve seen first hand just how amazing our NHS is and just how much damage the Conservatives have done to it. 

“The Liberal Democrats will be fighting for every vote at this election. Whether it’s the crisis in our NHS or the cost of living, the government has taken North Yorkshire for granted for too long and it’s time for a change.”

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Selby and Ainsty by-election candidates have their say – Part 3

This article is the third of a series of six.

Voters across parts of the district will be heading to the polls next Thursday (July 20), when Selby and Ainsty holds a by-election triggered by the dramatic resignation last month of MP Nigel Adams. 

Most of the Selby and Ainsty constituency lies beyond our district’s borders – it stretches almost as far as Goole and Doncaster – but its northern end does encompass Huby, Follifoot, Spofforth and some of the villages in the Vale of York, such as Tockwith, Green Hammerton and Long Marston. 

There’s a broad field to choose from – there are 13 candidates – but who are they, and what do they believe? 

In the lead-up to the by-election, we’re spotlighting two or three each day, giving constituents the opportunity to read about the people who wish to represent them at Westminster – in their own words. 

So far, we’ve featured independent Andrew Gray, Claire Holmes of the Conservative Party, Mike Jordan of the Yorkshire Party and Dave Kent of Reform UK.

Continuing to take their surnames in alphabetical order, today’s candidates are Keir Mather of the Labour Party, independent Nick Palmer, and Guy Phoenix of the Heritage Party. 

Tomorrow: Sir Archibald Stanton (Official Monster Raving Loony Party), and Matt Walker (Liberal Democrats).

Keir Mather, Labour Party

Keir Mather was born in Hull and grew up near Selby before going to Oxford University. Keir has most recently worked at the CBI (Confederation of British Industry). His candidacy was supported by the GMB and Unison. 

“I’m standing to be Selby and Ainsty’s MP because this brilliant place has been let down for too long. We are facing the biggest hit to living standards in a generation. Mortgages, food and fuel prices are all soaring. Our public services are broken. Meanwhile the Conservative Government is too distracted by its own infighting and chaos to deliver, and the MP for Selby and Ainsty abandoned the people he was elected to serve, all because he didn’t get a peerage. 

“I have been having thousands of conversations on the doorstep, hearing directly about what matters most to our local communities. These conversations shaped my plan for Selby and Ainsty, which starts with supporting residents through the cost-of-living crisis, with our Warm Homes Plan to bring down energy bills by £1,400 and financial support surgeries across the constituency to provide vital support immediately in the crisis. 

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home and in their communities, but in North Yorkshire theft is up 14% in the last year, and knife crime is now nearly twice as high as it was in 2010. Where the Conservatives have cut police on the streets, Labour will restore neighbourhood policing with 13,000 new neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs. 

“My plan will also see us restore frequent and reliable public transport, protection from flooding and sewage dumping, and ensure our NHS services are built for the future. It’s time for a fresh start in Selby and Ainsty. If you’ve felt taken for granted or let down, I urge you to put your faith in me on July 20.” 

Nick Palmer, Independent 

One of the few candidates to live in the constituency, Nick Palmer has an MBA from Vlerick Business School in Belgium and is managing director of Bizenko, a social enterprise that aims to bridge the gap between the worlds of education and employment. 

“How many voters feel politically ‘homeless’ in the United Kingdom? I doubt anybody knows the true scale of this problem. But we should. I pledge to find out. 

“Voters hate broken promises and tribal squabbling from the different political parties. It makes them feel angry and frustrated. When voters are angry and frustrated, it becomes a problem for society. I’m standing as a candidate to give frustrated voters a meaningful option on Thursday, July 20. 

“Despite being a Westminster election, the Selby and Ainsty by-election will have zero impact at Westminster. Frustrating, isn’t it?! 

“The day after this by-election, Rishi will still be the Conservative Prime Minister, with a healthy majority in Parliament. Sir Keir will still be the Labour leader of the Opposition. 

“Many voters tell me that they can’t stand one party, and can’t trust the other. They feel they have to vote for a ‘big’ party in order to deny their enemy ‘sneaking in’. But that won’t mean anything here. The Westminster situation is already determined. There will be no change. 

“Tactical voting to block either main party, even in desperation, is a missed opportunity. We can make our vote more meaningful!  

“Typically, challenger parties cannot ‘win’ their argument and implement their by-election plans unless they win a general election. Until then, we have the Conservatives. 

“Traditionally, only two parties can win a general election. Which fuels the toxic culture that depresses so many voters. Therefore, this by-election is a ‘free hit’ to send a protest vote. As long as the protest vote doesn’t need a general election victory to come true, then we can make our vote meaningful. 

“Let that message be ‘#DoBetter, Westminster! We want better politics, and until you improve your culture, we choose an independent MP!’

“For floating voters, the most meaningful vote here is for an independent candidate who is not trying to win a general election. A candidate with a skillset for identifying failed systems, processes and cultures. Someone who can highlight the change needed to restore trust in politics.  

“In this by-election, that means a vote for Nick Palmer.”

Guy Phoenix, Heritage Party 

Guy Phoenix is owner and managing director of Ripon-based IT support firm Fresh Mango Technologies, which has two other offices in Yorkshire and provides an out-of-hours service from a team based in the British Virgin Islands. The Heritage Party is a Eurosceptic, right-wing populist and socially conservative party founded in 2020. 

“I am a local businessman with offices in Ripon, Leeds and Skipton, employing 23 people. I have been canvassing door-to-door across the constituency and I’m hearing the same comments from people – we want change. 

“So, I ask them if they want real change, and when they say yes then my response is simple. The only way to get that change is to discard the old parties and vote for a new, socially conservative and principled party. That’s the Heritage Party.”

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Selby and Ainsty by-election candidates have their say – Part 2

This article is the second of a series of six.

Voters across parts of the district will be heading to the polls on Thursday (July 20), when Selby and Ainsty holds a by-election triggered by the dramatic resignation last month of MP Nigel Adams. 

Most of the Selby and Ainsty constituency lies beyond our district’s borders – it stretches almost as far as Goole and Doncaster – but its northern end does encompass Huby, Follifoot, Spofforth and some of the villages in the Vale of York, such as Tockwith, Green Hammerton and Long Marston. 

There’s a broad field to choose from – there are 13 candidates – but who are they, and what do they believe? 

In the lead-up to the by-election, we’re spotlighting two or three each day, giving constituents the opportunity to read about the people who wish to represent them at Westminster – in their own words. 

Yesterday, we featured independent Andrew Gray and Claire Holmes of the Conservative Party. Continuing to take their surnames in alphabetical order, today’s candidates are Mike Jordan of the Yorkshire Party and Dave Kent of Reform UK. 

Tomorrow: Keir Mather (Labour), Nick Palmer (independent), and Guy Phoenix (Heritage Party).

Mike Jordan, Yorkshire Party 

Mike Jordan has been a county councillor since 2009 and currently represents the Camblesforth & Carlton division on North Yorkshire Council. He was a member of the Conservative Party before he joined the Yorkshire Party, which campaigns for a Yorkshire Parliament, in 2018. He moved back to the Tories, but he then quit the party again, causing it to lose its majority on the council, and now sits as an independent. 

To add to the confusion, the Yorkshire Party is not mentioned next to Mr Jordan’s name on the official list of candidates – the space is blank, due to an administrative error. But he assures the Stray Ferret that his name will be on the ballot paper as the Yorkshire Party candidate. 

“In a nutshell, this is a unique opportunity for the residents of Selby and Ainsty. This by-election is for a year’s term in office. So why not lend me your vote, just for the year and send me down to London. I am the only candidate that will force them to sit up and think about Yorkshire.  

“Selby and Ainsty will be effectively representing Yorkshire in this election. It’s a numbers game down there, and so voting for any of the main parties will be like pouring a pint of water in the sea and expecting to see it rise. Not happening.” 

Dave Kent, Reform UK 

A populist hardline Eurosceptic party founded by Nigel Farage in 2018 as the Brexit Party.  

“I live just outside Selby, in the village of Hambleton. This is no pretence when I say ‘I love the area and its people’. 

“That said, people are facing issues that need strong leadership to bring people with hope and improve the town of Selby by using a Beverley town mentality to bring people into this lovely town.  

“There are many ways this can be done; one is to bring produce from local farmer shop with benefits for doing this and create a boutique shop style as well. With incentives for doing this.  

“Our rivers are being polluted by sewage entering the River Wharfe near Wetherby. This is something you would expect from a Third World country. Unfortunately, any fines are much lower than the money to improve. This is affecting our area, but also the whole country as similar issues elsewhere where Reform UK is needed. 

“Probably for the first time since the war, local issues are also national issues. The cost of living is soaring, inflation is running at eye-watering levels, and the people on the street are feeling the pinch. Reform UK would do several things to combat this.  

“It was brought to this country’s attention a couple weeks ago that supermarkets have been profiting by large amounts on fuel; we believe food is having a similar thing, and gas too.  

“They have used a chance to say ‘aw Covid, aw Ukraine’, yet our farmers are not getting any more for the food they produce, so somewhere in between, someone is making a killing.  

“Net zero, according to KPMG, will cost each household £1,000 this year; this is madness, since what they are doing will not change our climate one bit. Also mortgage rates, one of the only jobs for the Bank of England to do and they can’t do that right. 

“Much more to say, but I am limited.”

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Selby and Ainsty by-election candidates have their say – Part 1

This article is the first of a series of six.

Voters across parts of the Harrogate district will head to the polls next Thursday (July 20), when Selby and Ainsty holds a by-election triggered by last month’s resignation of Conservative MP Nigel Adams. 

Most of the Selby and Ainsty constituency lies beyond our district’s borders – it stretches almost as far as Goole and Doncaster – but its northern end encompasses Huby, Follifoot, Spofforth and some of the villages in the Vale of York, such as Tockwith, Green Hammerton and Long Marston. 

With 13 candidates, there’s a broad field to choose from — but who are they, and what do they believe? 

Over the coming week, we’ll be spotlighting two or three each day, giving constituents the opportunity to read about the people who wish to represent them at Westminster – in their own words. 

Taking their surnames in alphabetical order, we start today with Andrew Gray, an independent, and Claire Holmes, who is standing for the Conservatives. 

Tomorrow: Mike Jordan, Yorkshire Party, and Dave Kent, Reform UK. 

Andrew Gray, Independent 

A Harrogate-based solicitor who founded his firm, Truth Legal, in 2012 on the principle that everyone should have access to affordable legal advice. 

“Annoyed with MPs who put party before constituents? Narked, that MPs don’t listen? Frustrated, that all our institutions are broken, exploited by ne’er-do-wells?

“Empowered by you, I am your only solution.

“Intuitively, you know that we can’t go on like this. We are the greatest country on earth; North Yorkshire, the greatest county. Great, because we are usually first, unafraid to go it alone. Think about it: the Industrial Revolution; parliamentary democracy; the end of slavery; foundation of the NHS; creators of football, rugby, golf and tennis; alone in WW2; creators of the computer, and more besides.When we innovate, we succeed.

“You have a choice: more of the same old failed politics, or something better, fresh, transparent.I’m asking for your votes: ‘votes’ because I have no policies. The good people of this constituency create my policies, with AI (artificial intelligence) harnessing your collective wisdom. So far, you’ve voted over 5,000 times to create your policies. I’m running 50 anonymous online conversations in every sizeable village and town. Why? So, that I can understand what you want from me.

“As your MP, you will influence how I represent you in Parliament, every week. Win, and every MP in the land will need to listen to the people. This is what representatives are meant to do, starting here, in Selby and Ainsty.

“If you believe, like I do, that interest rate hikes are madness, empower me. I recommend we restructure the failed Bank of England, should we?

“I’m a dad, first and foremost, with two children in school. Husband, leader, lawyer, entrepreneur and Quaker. I’ve made my mistakes, lots of them. I’ve represented hundreds of people, businesses and trade unions, throughout Yorkshire, and hired dozens of staff.

“Me, or more of the same? You decide. Let’s put Selby and Ainsty on the international map.”

Claire Holmes, Conservative Party

Claire Holmes is a solicitor and barrister based in Hull, and represents South East Holderness on East Riding of Yorkshire Council. She was selected last month following the unexpected resignation of the previous candidate, Michael Naughton. 

“I was born and grew up in Castleford and have always lived in Yorkshire. My dad worked down the pit and my mum was a seamstress.  

“I have a strong work ethic. I worked full time and studied with Open University to qualify as a barrister and I will use that dedication and those skills to be a strong voice for this community to ensure everyone here has access to good opportunities to achieve their potential. 

“I will push for more investment here alongside the Community Diagnostic Centre at New Selby War Memorial Hospital – improving access to healthcare; the 251 extra police officers secured for North Yorkshire – I sat on the Police Crime Commissioner’s Panel and I know these will help to make local people safer; and the £500m of new investment in North Yorkshire to grow our local economy and create good jobs with decent pay. 

“It is important Selby and Ainsty’s MP is focused on here and not Westminster.  

“Anyone who wants to represent our community must want to protect what’s special about our towns, villages and rural communities – protecting our green spaces, backing our farmers and creating jobs for local people.  

“I am a councillor in rural East Riding. I held the portfolio for planning, infrastructure and housing and sat on the Transport for the North board, setting long-term planning for the development of the north’s transport system, so I understand and have already faced many of the challenges here.  

“I am asking the people of Selby and Ainsty to put their trust in me as their next MP because I want to use the knowledge, skills and experiences I have accrued in my life for the benefit of Yorkshire, my home which I love and am proud of.  

“I have performed many voluntary roles as a scout leader, parish councillor, school governor and a member of my local drainage board to demonstrate my belief in the importance of representation being strongly rooted in community and why I believe I should become the next MP for Selby & Ainsty.“

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By-election could give Harrogate district its first ever Labour MP

The Harrogate district could be set to get its first ever Labour MP when voters turn out for the Selby and Ainsty by-election next week, according to an opinion poll. 

The survey by JL Partners reveals Labour could win a landslide victory on July 20 in the traditionally Tory constituency, with 41% of the vote – up 16 points on the last election.

No Labour MP has ever represented any of the Harrogate district constituencies: Harrogate and Knaresborough, Skipton and Ripon, and Selby and Ainsty.

The poll has the Conservatives on 29% (down 31 percentage points on last general election), Reform UK on 8% (+8), the Lib Dems on 6% (-3), the Greens on 6% (+3), the Yorkshire Party on 4% (+1), and the others on 6% (+6). 

A Labour victory – which political analysts Electoral Calculus sees as a 66% probability – would be a remarkable upset in a constituency it has never before won.

Selby and Ainsty has been held by the Conservatives since its creation in 2010, with MP Nigel Adams increasing his share of the vote at successive elections from 49% in 2010 to 60% at 2019. 

Labour candidate Keir Mather, 25, would become the youngest current MP if he wins.

A Labour spokesperson told the Stray Ferret:  

“It will be a mammoth task to overturn a 20,000 Conservative majority, and the biggest Labour has achieved since the end of the Second World War.  

“Labour’s Keir Mather is speaking to hundreds of voters on the doorstep who want change, and for him to be their MP and a strong voice fighting on their behalf in Westminster.” 

A Conservative Party spokesperson told the Stray Ferret the party never comments on opinion polls.

Cabinet minister Nigel Adams was a Boris Johnson loyalist and stepped down last month after his name did not appear on Mr Johnson’s retirement honours list. The constituency has been unrepresented at Westminster since then. 

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The Harrogate district is mainly represented by the MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, but large areas fall within other constituencies.

The vast Selby and Ainsty constituency includes Huby, Follifoot and Spofforth, as well as several villages in the Vale of York, including Great Ouseburn, Green Hammerton, Kirk Hammerton and Tockwith. Its main towns are Selby, Tadcaster and Sherburn-in-Elmet, and at its southern end it includes Drax power station and reaches nearly as far as Goole and Doncaster.

The Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency has only ever been held by the Tories and Liberal Democrats, and Skipton and Ripon has only ever been held by the Conservatives. The Selby and Ainsty constituency was formed from the Vale of York constituency – which was perennially Conservative – and the Selby constituency, which swung from Conservative to Labour. 

Volunteers learn to test for E coli in River Nidd

Dozens of volunteers will be heading to the River Nidd today as part of a project to find out how much E coli bacteria is in the water.

Around 40 people will be gathering near Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough to learn how to take valid samples from the Nidd – from the bankside and from bridges over the river.

The volunteers will then turn out again in force on August 3 to put their training into action and take samples from all stretches of the river from Scar House Reservoir at the top end of Nidderdale right down to Moor Monkton, where the Nidd joins the Ouse in the Vale of York. 

They will repeat the process at the end of September, in an initiative that forms the centrepiece of an iNidd project organised by the Nidd Action Group (NAG).

All the water samples will be sent for laboratory testing to find out how polluted they are, both with faecal and chemical inflows.  

David Clayden, chairman of NAG, said:

“We want to find the truth. I don’t think people know enough about the river. This whole project is about understanding the chemical and biological profile of the river, including the tributaries, specifically Oak Beck, Crimple Beck and possibly also Ripley Beck.  

“It will give us data from all up and down the river, all taken on the same day, under the same conditions, which has never been done here before. A lot of preparatory work has gone into this and it’s all coming together very well. It’s very exciting.” 

The samples will enable NAG to establish the concentration of faecal coliforms – or E coli – associated with human and pet health, nutrient chemicals such as phosphates and nitrates, and concentrations of heavy metals – all associated with the ecological balance of the river and the richness and variety of invertebrate and plant life. 

Mr Clayden said: 

“If a water sample is good, that’s great. But if it’s bad, we want to know what’s upstream of it – a sewage outlet, a farm, or a caravan park perhaps? We need to gauge the relative importance of different pollution sources.” 

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NAG hopes to be able to publish the results of the lab tests in the autumn, around the same time that Andrew Jones MP is due to submit the case for River Nidd bathing water status for consideration by Defra (the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs). 

NAG is also working with the Environment Agency on an “outfall safari”, which involves walking along the river bank and spotting unmapped pipes and other sources of pollution. 

Mr Clayden said: 

“You’d think they would know where they all are, but they don’t. A lot of these pipes have just been wrongly connected, either intentionally or by accident, and they may come from any private property along the river bank. 

“So we need volunteers to spot them and report on how much pollution they’re causing. It involves investigative, observational work, and some training may be given by the Environment Agency.” 

NAG was formed in September 2022 after concerns about the quality of the water in the Nidd were raised by anglers and others. It now has 100 volunteers. 

Mr Clayden said: 

“It’s a nice community, and one thing they all have in common is that they all love the river.” 

Anyone wanting to join them and get involved with research on the River Nidd should use the Get Involved page on the NAG website. 

Digital marketing conference to be autumn highlight of business calendar

One of the region’s biggest digital marketing events will hit Harrogate this autumn, as hundreds of industry professionals come together for a lively day of discussion, exhibition and networking. 

The event, which is sponsored by York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub and Yorkshire law firm Ison Harrison, and is free for delegates to attend, will also feature 25 trade stands for local companies in the industry, such as social media agencies, web designers, content writers, videographers and photographers.

The full day conference will take place on Thursday, September 28 at Pavilions of Harrogate, the indoor event venue at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

Andrew Raby, manager of York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub, said: 

“More businesses approach the Growth Hub for fully funded support on the topic of digital marketing and skills than almost any other, so this promises to be a great event to showcase an array of creative talent from our region, and the ways in which that talent can help businesses to thrive and grow.

“We look forward to hearing from businesses, meeting delegates, and sharing more about the free support we provide.”

Richard Coulthard, Director and Head of Corporate at sponsor Ison Harrison said: 

“At Ison Harrison we’re delighted to sponsor this year’s conference, aligning ourselves with a vibrant digital marketing community in the North Yorkshire region.

“We’re a forward-thinking law firm that appreciates innovation and change – something that is embraced in the creative industry. Digital marketing agencies are often at the forefront of driving transformative change in the business landscape, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and creative thinking to help organisations reach their audiences effectively.

“Being involved in an event that explores these new ways of helping businesses achieve their goals, and celebrating the successes of local businesses is something we’re delighted about.

“We act for many Agencies in the creative industry, so we hope to see many familiar faces at the event – along with new ones! Having recently opened a new branch in Harrogate, we hope to see some of our neighbours at the event in September.”

The Digital Marketing Conference, organised by the Stray Ferret, will feature talks from industry experts, including keynote, and a Q&A session hosted by the Stray Ferret’s owner, former BBC Yorkshire boss Tamsin O’Brien. 

Emma Harris, commercial manager at the Stray Ferret, said: 

“This event is long overdue. We haven’t really seen anything like it before in our part of the North, and yet some of the best companies in the sector are based up here.

“For anyone involved in digital marketing in our area, this is a must attend event. It will be the autumn highlight of the business calendar, so mark it in your diary and make sure you don’t miss out.”

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To find out more about speaking opportunities or to book an exhibition stand, contact Megan Grant at The Stray Ferret on 01423 276224 or by email at megan@thestrayferret.co.uk.

 

Bar owner beats council in court to create ‘cool place’ on Cold Bath Road

A Harrogate bar owner will be raising a glass or two after successfully appealing alcohol licence restrictions that he says would have made trading from his Cold Bath Road premises “impossible”. 

Dave Swallow received a licence for his bar, AAA, in November, but it came with conditions.

Harrogate Borough Council said he had to build a barrier to separate his forecourt seating area from the pavement; he had to build a lobby as a sound-proofing measure; and he could only serve alcohol till 9pm. 

He told the Stray Ferret: 

“I couldn’t comply with those conditions as well as the building regulations and the fire regulations all at the same time. It was just physically impossible.” 

So he took North Yorkshire Council, which assumed all Harrogate Borough Council’s functions on April 1, to court – and won. He no longer has to build the barrier or the lobby, and may now serve alcohol from 12 noon till 11pm, as is the norm for bars and pubs in England. 

He said: 

“I’m elated. The waiting is over, the amalgamation of work and stress has lifted and I’ve cleared that hurdle. 

“Now I’ve got a long list of things to do to make sure I comply with the remaining licence conditions, but that’s fine – all bars have to do that. The main thing is, we’re serving now!” 

AAA, pronounced triple-A, is a bar that also sells vinyl records and merchandise from another of Dave’s ventures, clothing brand Audio Architect Apparel. He said he wanted to create “a nice, cool place where people can come to listen to good music on a good sound system, drinking good drinks”. 

He added:

“We’re getting in more vinyl by the week, and we’ll soon be serving breakfast, lunch and sociable, picky stuff in the evenings, such as charcuterie and cheeseboards.

“We’re taking on more staff and we’ll be having an opening party on July 14. After months of waiting, this court victory means we can finally move ahead with our plans.” 

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