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25
May
Harrogate district set to become election battleground
As the door to 10 Downing Street slammed on Wednesday evening, it effectively signalled the starting bell for a six-week election campaign.
The Prime Minister’s announcement that an election will be held on July 4 created political battlegrounds across the country’s 650 constituencies.
In Harrogate and Knaresborough, the outlook is no different.
The constituency has been held by the Conservatives for 14 years. In that time, Andrew Jones, the incumbent MP, has won four elections.
He has seen off three different Liberal Democrat candidates vying for the seat, as well as numerous other opposition parties.
(Left, clockwise) Andew Jones, Tom Gordon, Shan Oakes, John Swales and Conrad Whitcroft.
But the Lib Dems see the 2024 election as a different proposition. Tom Gordon, who will be contesting Mr Jones, has described it as a “once in a generation” election and a chance to kick out the Tories.
Mr Gordon’s challenge will be to overhaul the Conservative’s 9,675 majority - a required swing in the region of 8%.
The 29-year-old has framed the election in Harrogate as a choice between the Liberal Democrats and the Tories, a sign that the party is eyeing the seat as a major scalp.
Meanwhile, there are three other candidates so far in Conrad Whitcroft (Labour), Shan Oakes (Green Party) and John Swales (Reform UK) who are preparing to put a dent in the Tory dominance in the constituency.
But, despite the reported discontent within the Conservative backbenchers at the prospect of a summer election, Mr Jones has been defiant.
The day after Mr Sunak’s announcement, the Harrogate and Knaresborough MP issued a combative statement which he pledged to win voters trust.
He said:
Skipton and Ripon
In six weeks’ time, Julian Smith, the Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, will be tasked with defending his 23,694 majority.
The former Northern Ireland secretary will be hoping to make 2024 his fifth election win in the constituency.
He will also be looking to continue a legacy for the Conservative Party in holding the seat at every election since it was created in 1983.
Standing in his way will be Green Party candidate Andy Brown, who will contest the constituency for a fourth time. Simon Garvey will be standing for Reform UK.
Wetherby and Easingwold
This election will see some voters in the Harrogate district fall under a new constituency.
Wetherby and Easingwold, which replaced the old Selby and Ainsty seat, will cover areas such as Spofforth, Follifoot and Boroughbridge.
The new seat offers all parties a chance to stake their claim to become the first to hold the constituency.
So far, the Tories have announced that current Elmet and Rothwell MP Alec Shelbrook will stand for the party. Meanwhile, Reform UK will field Mike Jordan on polling day.
The Liberal Democrats have chosen James Monaghan as its candidate for the new constituency.
Read more:
- Who will be standing in the Harrogate district at the general election?
- The MP aiming to win his fifth election in Harrogate and Knaresborough
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