14
Mar
Valley Gardens by-election: who are the candidates?
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A Scout leader and a local mum are amongst the four candidates hoping to secure a spot on Harrogate Town Council at next week’s by-election.
Voters will go to the polls on Thursday, March 19, after Edward Metcalfe, a Liberal Democrat who formerly represented the Valley Gardens ward, resigned his seat on the local council in January.
The Stray Ferret contacted each local party – Reform UK, The Green Party, Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives – to find out more about the repsective candidates.
We asked each candidate to tell us about themselves, as well as what they believe they would bring to Harrogate Town Council if elected.
You can read what they each had to say below.
Tracey De Wet – Reform UK
Tracey De Wet describes herself as a long-standing Harrogate resident, local businesswoman and mum.
Ms De Wet said she chose to stand for the town council seat as many residents have told her they “feel unheard” and would like greater representation of the Valley Gardens area.
“I want to be a councillor who listens with empathy, acts quickly and turns concerns into visible improvements”, she said.
Ms De Wet also provided her "clear and positive plan" if elected as a councillor. She said:
Supporting local businesses
Having worked in business for many years, I understand the pressures facing independent traders. I will work directly with shops and cafés to identify practical changes that genuinely help them: clearer parking solutions, better signage and championing initiatives that bring more people into the area.
Protecting and restoring our green spaces
Our beautiful Valley Gardens and nearby Pinewoods are central to our local identity. I will push for better up-keep, faster reporting and fixing of issues like drainage, litter and neglected corners, and support small volunteer-led projects that strengthen pride in these shared spaces.
Improving safety and community confidence
Residents often raise concerns about anti-social behaviour. I will press for more visible patrols, closer council–police co-operation and faster action on repeat problem spots, so people feel safer in their neighbourhood.
Ms De Wet added Harrogate deserves “active, compassionate representation”, and pledged to “put the community first” if successful in her bid.
Nat Slater - Liberal Democrats
Born and raised in Harrogate, the Lib Dems said Nat Slater is a proud local who cares deeply about the community that shaped him.
A dad of three, the party said Mr Slater "understands first-hand the importance of safe streets and a thriving community for families”, adding:
Alongside his professional life in IT services, he volunteers as a local Scout leader, helping young people build confidence and practical skills.
Nat is currently campaigning for stronger enforcement of speed restrictions on Cold Bath Road, responding to concerns from residents about road safety. He knows how important it is that we have a town councillor who is able to stand up for Harrogate.
Mr Slater is standing to ensure Valley Gardens and Harrogate has a strong, community-focused voice that listens, acts and delivers for local people, the Lib Dems said.
Tom Martin - Conservatives
Tom Martin lives on Harlow Terrace with his family, who regularly use local businesses on Cold Bath Road and spend time at the Valley Gardens.
Mr Martin said:
I want to represent our local area so I can work to make it even better for my family and our neighbours.
This starts with getting everyday issues fixed. I've already requested new street signs in the West Cliffe area, reported blocked drains on Beech Grove and called on Northern Powergrid to attend a public meeting to update residents on the roadworks that have impacted Cold Bath Road and Otley Road.
Mr Martin said the area has “not had a voice to speak up on local issues”, adding:
I know there is much to do, which is why I have published a set of positive policies [in a leaflet delivered to local residents] to make our area even better. These cover areas from better public transport to improving our public spaces and supporting local businesses.
We need to elect a local representative who lives in Valley Gardens and walks our streets every day - not just when there's an election campaign. I hope my friends and neighbours will agree and elect me to represent them at this by-election.
Alex Ireland – Green Party
The Green Party has decided against campaigning in the run-up to the by-election, but it has named Alex Ireland as its candidate.
As reported by the Stray Ferret last month, the decision comes after an appeal by Compass York and North Yorkshire, which is a group affiliated to the national Compass organisation that supports electoral reform, urging political parties to work together to stop Reform UK from winning the Valley Gardens seat.
In a statement, the Greens said:
In this by-election we have an excellent candidate, but we are aware of the dangers of splitting the progressive vote and letting the right in by default. With the support of our candidate, the Green Party has, therefore, decided not to campaign this seat, but we will still give people the chance to vote Green. It follows that we will, therefore, not be providing a bio or a photograph of our candidate for publication.
The Green Party is run locally and, therefore, represents local people more accurately than many other parties, which are told what they must do by their central organisation. We have a mature way of approaching politics and prepared to talk with other progressive parties in advance of elections. We take care over the selection of candidates and would not ask one to stand aside but we are willing to talk with the progressive parties about how we campaign in each ward or division.
Our aim is always to do what is right for the communities in which we live and work. The politics of hope and sustainability are needed more than ever.
Cllr Arnold Warneken, a Green who represents Ouseburn on North Yorkshire Council, added:
If we want to change how politicians are perceived by the electorate, then working cross-party is a great start. The public are not impressed with tribalism and bickering whilst their lives are impacted from a lack of cross-party cooperation.
We need to demonstrate that there is hope for a better way of doing politics and by having a collaborative approach, it makes us part of the solution and not part of the problem.
The Lib Dems won by a landslide at last year’s inaugural Harrogate Town Council election, securing 15 of the 19 seats.
The Tories currently have two seats, Reform has one and there is one independent.
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