Keane Duncan believes he has a “bold ambition” for North Yorkshire.
The 29-year-old candidate for Mayor of York and North Yorkshire is tasked with securing the position for the Conservative Party on May 2.
Mr Duncan, who is also executive councillor for highways on North Yorkshire Council, told the Stray Ferret that he believes he has the most political experience for the role.
He added that he felt the mayor was an opportunity to do politics differently.
“I’m standing to shake things up and do things differently. I think we have probably been let down by politics being the same old status quo.
“This is now an opportunity for us to wrestle control from Westminster and to secure our fair share of investment that we deserve.
“It’s a big opportunity and we have one chance to get this right. I’m standing up for all generations, my generation and the next generation.”
Keane Duncan, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Ripon earlier this month.
Mr Duncan has set his stall out and made bold pledges during his campaign. They include free car-parking in towns and cities and purchasing the Grand Hotel in Scarborough for regeneration.
The promise to regenerate the hotel is probably the most radical of his plans. Mr Duncan says he has “staked his political fortunes” on the pledge, but believes it is what Scarborough needs from the mayoral role.
He said:
“I have got bold ambition for North Yorkshire. I have got big plans for our county and I think it is right that we are bold and ambitious for the county.
“Scarborough is the third largest settlement in the county and it is the most deprived town. No one can doubt that it deserves investment.
“But this is just one example of my big plans for the county. It is radical and some people think I’m slightly mad, but I think it will be key for transforming Scarborough.”
When pressed on how much the plan would cost, Mr Duncan said he did not want to “compromise discussions” with Britannia, the company which owns the Grand Hotel.
However, he promised to seek negotiations with the firm within the “first few weeks”, if elected mayor.
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Meanwhile, as the senior councillor for highways in North Yorkshire, Mr Duncan is well versed in the trials and tribulations of the transport brief.
Mr Duncan says that part of his plan for mayor would be to invest in road repairs and key infrastructure such as the A64, York Outer Ring Road and A59 Kex Gill.
He also says he is prepared to look at a bus franchising model in North Yorkshire, if there is a “robust financial case”.
Among his other pledges include full digital connectivity and no mayoral tax for each year that he is in office, if elected mayor.
Not taking it for granted
The race to become the first elected mayor in North Yorkshire is just 10 days away.
When asked if he confident of winning the election, Mr Duncan said he is not taking anything for granted.
He said:
“I have never taken any election for granted. I’m certainly not taking this election for granted. I do not think the outcome is guaranteed.
“I am working very hard, I’m getting out there into every single corner of North Yorkshire. I have embarked on a 100-day, 1,000-stop tour of the county, listening to people in every single community.
“My message is that nowhere is going to be overlooked or forgotten if I’m elected. That message is resonating strongly.”
The York and North Yorkshire mayor will be chosen by residents of the region in an election on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
The candidates are:
- Keith Tordoff, independent
- Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Liberal Democrats
- Keane Duncan, Conservative Party
- David Skaith, Labour Party
- Kevin Foster, Green Party
- Paul Haslam, independent
