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May

Last Updated: 01/05/2024

Mayoral candidates make final pitches to voters

by John Plummer

| 01 May, 2024

Candidates in tomorrow's York and North Yorkshire mayoral election have been out and about making their final attempts to woo voters.

Polling stations will open at 7am tomorrow (May 2) and close at 10pm.

Counting won't start until Friday so whoever is elected to the £81,300 role is unlikely to be known until Friday afternoon.

The six contenders have been using a variety of methods to win votes as the campaign draws to a close — from TikTok videos to meeting people in the street.

Conservative candidate Keane Duncan posted on social media that his 100-day-campervan trip across the county was coming to an end. He published more photos of him meeting residents and pledged 'bold, ambitious action for York and North Yorkshire', adding:

"I’ve campaigned everywhere. Not just in the major settlements, but in the remotest outposts too."

Labour's David Skaith posted a photo of himself on the campaign trail with West Yorkshire's Labour mayor Tracy Brabin. He said:

"We’ve been knocking on thousands of doors right across York and North Yorkshire and it’s very clear that people are desperate for change."

Liberal Democrat Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, who has been in Knaresborough today, said on social media:

"Lots to talk about and lots of hope and optimism that this election will bring about the change that we need - voters choosing me for my skills and business experience, a hard working candidate with common sense who will get the very best for all of us."

Pateley Bridge-based Independent Keith Tordoff has taken to TikTok as part of his campaign.

A few days ago he posted a video of him hitting the heavy bag in boxing gloves to Rocky music, before pausing to say:

"It's time we knocked the Tories, Labour, the main parties, out of York and North Yorkshire."

Bilton's Paul Haslam stood in Harrogate town centre with recyclable home-made banners talking to people.

He told the Stray Ferret he had loved the chance to get out and meet people and, as an independent with strong business background, felt he was well placed to push forward ideas such as an integrated transport policy.

Green candidate Kevin Foster posted a video of himself by a river, saying:

"As your mayor I will fight for North Yorkshire to get our fair share from the government. People tell me they want change from the same old parties letting them down."

The Stray Ferret will bring live election coverage of Friday's count followed by reaction and analysis over the weekend.

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