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22

Apr 2021

Last Updated: 22/04/2021
Politics
Politics

Ripon grievances 'like listening to Scottish National Party', says senior Tory councillor

by Thomas Barrett

| 22 Apr, 2021
Comment

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Cllr Graham Swift compared listening to grievances about the council not spending enough money in Ripon to arguments made by the Scottish National Party. A Ripon councillor described his comments as 'rude and disrespectful' and called on him to apologise.

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A senior Conservative Harrogate councillor has said grievances about Harrogate Borough Council not spending enough money in Ripon are like "listening to the Scottish National Party."

The comment was made at last night's full council meeting by Cllr Graham Swift, deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development at HBC.

It came after Ripon Independent councillor, Pauline McHardy, called on HBC to pause its sale of the Ripon Spa Baths site which she said is being sold "from under our noses". She said she wanted the council to maintain the building for other purposes.

In response, Cllr Swift said:

"The grievance story is like listening to the Scottish National Party at times. It's not right, it's not correct and it's not relevant. We are investing heavily in that beautiful city.
"Rather than complaining about what you think we don't do, we'd love to hear the ideas that will drive the regeneration of Ripon".


The Scottish National Party is led by Nicola Sturgeon and is the largest political party in Scotland. It wants independence from the UK.



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Cllr McHardy spoke to the Stray Ferret this morning and called Cllr Swift's comments "rude and disrespectful".

She said he should apologise.

“It’s disgusting. The Conservatives strategy of defence is attack. Comparing the people of Ripon with the Scottish National Party is an insult and he has offended the many Scottish people who live in the district.
"Cllr Swift goes for the jugular and it’s so rude and disrespectful.”


The Stray Ferret contacted Harrogate Borough Council and Cllr Swift for a response but we did not receive one at the time of publication.