Editor's Pick of the Week: More election fall out, speeding footballers and funding reviews

If you thought the fall out from the general election ended when Sir Kier Starmer entered 10 Downing Street, think again.

Compass York and North Yorkshire has weighed in on the debate over the country’s voting system.

Some two weeks after the polls closed, the campaign group is now urging voters to stop voting tactically after the approach damaged the Green Party’s prospects both in Harrogate and nationally.

We covered the fallout from the Harrogate district results, including the Green Party’s approach, extensively and have a full report on Compass’ position on the matter.

Meanwhile, we’re used to having celebrity footballers in the Harrogate district - both current and retired.

We’re also used to them appearing in court and that’s what happened again this week when a colleague spotted that ex-England striker Jermain Defoe was before magistrates on Tuesday.

While the former Tottenham and West Ham goalscorer was not actually present for the hearing, he was charged with breaking the speed limit in our district and was duly punished for it.

Elsewhere, those who were looking forward to seeing Harrogate lit up in colour for the carnival will be disappointed to learn that there will not be one this year.

The event last year attracted an array of performers, music and food stalls, including a giant red lobster on Cambridge Road.

But, the colour and culture that the occasion brought to the town has fallen victim to a council funding review and does not appear to be coming back in the future either.

Look out this weekend for our interview with local Olympic hopeful George Mills, a report on the joy of beekeeping and my Sunday report on how Labour's housing targets could affect the Harrogate district.  Will it be a case of deja vu where the local authority hasn't drawn up a local plan and yet has to hit housing targets? 

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John Plummer is away.

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