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09
Mar
GALLERY: Kemi Badenoch visits Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road
Conservative leader Kami Badenoch paid a surprise visit to Harrogate's Cold Bath Road on Saturday (March 7).
Ms Badenoch was in the town for the party’s spring conference at Harrogate Convention Centre.
Away from the conference, she dropped in on HG Pets, Illingworths Hardware and independent café Tilly Peppers, accompanied by former Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones and party chairman Kevin Hollinrake, who is also MP for Thirsk and Malton.
HG Pets owner Jon Bradley greets Ms Badenoch and Mr Jones.
Jon Bradley, owner of HG Pets, told the Stray Ferret Mr Jones called in the previous day to say a “couple of high-ranking members of the shadow cabinet” would like to visit.
Mr Bradley was then informed about 30 minutes before Saturday's 2pm visit that Ms Badenoch would be dropping by shortly.
He said it was a “bit of a squeeze” getting all the politicians and their entourage, including security, into his pet store.
Mr Bradley said he has voted for the Tories in the past but didn’t at the last election. He declined to say who he did vote for.
Ms Badenoch asked him about the current business challenges.
He said:
I said the main thing we needed was a level playing field.
Leaving Tilly Peppers with a drink.
In her keynote speech at the spring conference, Ms Badenoch attacked the government’s approach to the conflict in the Middle East.
She said:
At a time when Britain needs strong and decisive leadership, we have a prime minister who is too afraid of making the wrong decision, too afraid to make any decision at all.
Defence minister Al Carns replied by accusing her of scoring “cheap political points” at a time when “serious politics” was required.
Here are some more photos from her visit.
Mr Jones, Mr Hollinrake and Ms Badenoch listen to the owner's concerns in Tilly Peppers café. Pic: Christine Quarmyne / CCHQ.
Kemi Badenoch, alongside Kevin Hollinrake, and Andrew Jones on Cold Bath Road. Pic: Christine Quarmyne / CCHQ.
Ms Badenoch leaving Illingworths Hardware. Pic: Christine Quarmyne / CCHQ
Ms Badenoch and Mr Jones talking to Illingworths Hardware owner Peter Waddington. Pic: Christine Quarmyne / CCHQ.
Delivering her keynote speech in Harrogate. Pic: Christine Quarmyne / CCHQ
Skipton and Ripon MP Sir Julian Smith (second from right) listening to Ms Badenoch's speech. Pic: Christine Quarmyne / CCHQ.
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