Rishi Sunak’s appointment as Prime Minister this week has thrust a Harrogate councillor to the forefront of national politics.
Sam Gibbs is the Conservative Party agent in Richmond — Mr Sunak’s constituency.
As such, he works closely with Mr Sunak, who was elected to the safe Tory seat in 2015 with 51% of the vote. He increased this share to 64% at the last election in 2019.
Agents typically advise their MPs as well as oversee the smooth running of the local party.
Mr Sunak’s elevation to the highest office in the land is likely to increase the workload on the party in Richmond and on Mr Gibbs.
Besides helping Mr Sunak, Mr Gibbs, who lives on Forest Avenue in Harrogate, has served as the Conservative councillor for Harrogate Valley Gardens on Harrogate Borough Council since 2018.
Last year he campaigned for new ‘no cycling’ signs to be painted on footpaths on the Stray after local residents complained about speeding cyclists using the parkland.
Councillor Gibbs in a photo about the new tree lighting on the Stray.
This year he was appointed the cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling when council leader Richard Cooper reshuffled his team in March. He is also a member of the cabinet.
Election success this year
Harrogate Borough Council will be abolished in April but Mr Gibbs’ interest in local politics won’t end then.
This year he won the Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate division on North Yorkshire County Council in May’s local elections. He received 871 votes, ahead of Liberal Democrat David Johnson, who polled 545 votes and independent Lucy Gardiner, who received 331 votes.
It means he will represent the division for a further four-and-a-half years, first on the county council and, from April, on the new North Yorkshire Council.
The Stray Ferret contacted Cllr Gibbs, who is also a trustee of Harrogate and District Community Action, to ask about his role with Mr Sunak, and whether Mr Sunak’s appointment as Prime Minister would affect his councillor positions. However, he did not reply.
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