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02
Apr
Reform UK announces Harrogate Town Council candidates
Reform UK has become the latest political party to name its candidates for the forthcoming Harrogate Town Council election.
The right-wing party is standing in 18 of the 19 wards being contested on May 1.
A press release announcing the news said every candidate had “passed a rigorous approval process to check their suitability to stand for public office”.
Jonathan Swales, branch chairman of Reform UK Harrogate and Knaresborough, said:
We set a very high standard for our prospective councillors, and I’m pleased that we’ve got a first class set of candidates standing across the town. Our candidates are local people who know the issues our town faces and will bring a wealth of practical experience and common sense to bear on the challenges ahead.
It’s a simple choice facing the voters of Harrogate, do you think the people who got us into this situation are the ones to sort it out, or do you think fresh eyes and new ideas are needed.
Reform has been polling at about 25% in national polls.
A survey by the local party this year identified the following issues to be addressed by town council: protecting the green belt, reclaiming the town’s assets for the benefit of all residents, enhancing the appeal of the town centre; and considering all road users’ needs in town planning.
Harrogate Town Council came into existence on April 1. The inaugural elections are now just 29 days away. You can read more about the election here.
The full list of candidates is due to be published at 4pm tomorrow on North Yorkshire Council’s website.
The Liberal Democrats announced their candidates this week. You can read more here.
You can read about the Conservatives and Greens’ candidates here and here.
Labour has yet to reveal who it has chosen to stand.
The list of Reform candidates is:
Bilton Grange - John Lawrence
Bilton Woodfield - David Goodall
Central - Helen Swales
Coppice Valley - Chris Gelber
Duchy - Tracey De Wet
Fairfax - Bob Frendt
Harlow - Dan Lupton
High Harrogate - Peter De Wet
Kingsley - Ian Hardcastle
New Park - Kevin Parker
Oatlands - David Hartley
Old Bilton - Sheila Brown
Pannal - Jonathan Swales
Saltergate - Jacqueline Green
St George's - Christine Ford
Starbeck - Tony Brown
Stray - Jack Smithson
Valley Gardens - Paul Hartness
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