Rishi Sunak Archives - Page 2 of 5

Painting owned by Prime Minister to be auctioned in Ripon

An oil painting donated by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will go under the hammer in Ripon this month.

The painting of Richmond Castle will be included in Elstob Auctioneers’ fine art and antiques sale on June 17.

Members of the public will be able to bid at the sale in person or online. The proceeds will raise funds for Richmond community arts venue The Station.

The painting, by contemporary landscape painter Alice Boggis-Rolfe, carries a price estimate of £1,800 to £2,200. It comes with a signed title card from the Prime Minister.

Broadcaster Sky gave the painting to Mr Sunak to mark the Sky Arts channel becoming free-to-view. With Sky’s blessing, the Richmond MP donated it to the gallery at The Station, which is housed in Richmond’s former Victorian Railway Station.

It was displayed in The Station gallery but is now being sold to raise money for the venue.

Mr Sunak said:

“I thought it most appropriate that The Station – a centre for the arts in Richmond – should benefit from Sky’s generosity and people in Richmond should have the chance to see the work too.”

Rohan McCulloch, paintings and sculptures specialist at Elstob Auctioneers, said:

“This is a rare opportunity to acquire a fabulous piece of art by one of the UK’s up-and-coming artists at the same time as supporting a great cause. Alice Boggis-Rolfe regularly sells out at exhibitions.”

Chris Brown, general manager of the Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust, said:

“Elstob Auctioneers are kindly waiving all fees associated with the sale so 100% of the proceeds will go straight back into The Station and supporting other at-risk buildings in Richmondshire.”

Commissioned by Sky to produce the painting, Alice Boggis-Rolfe said:

“I am delighted and honoured that Rishi Sunak has donated my painting to The Station in Richmond and look forward to the auction.”

The fine art and antiques sale will be held on Saturday, June 17 at 9.30am. Bids can be made in person, online or by telephone.

The contents of the sale, including the painting, will be available to view at the Ripon saleroom on Friday, June 16 from 10am until 4pm.

For further information, call 01765 699200 or email: info@elstob.co.uk

Prime Minister’s Harrogate agent urged to apologise over ‘distressing’ leaflet

A Green councillor has called on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Harrogate agent to apologise for sending a “misleading and distressing” letter to voters.

Sam Gibbs is the Conservative councillor for Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate on North Yorkshire Council. He is also the political agent for Richmond — the seat held by Mr Sunak.

The Mirror revealed voters in Stockton-on-Tees received letters in the run-up to this month’s local elections with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council‘s name and address at the top alongside the words ‘your council tax bill 2023 is up 38% since 2016’.

Labour is the largest party on the council.

Some of the wording was in red to appear similar to a final payment demand. But it was actually a Conservative campaign leaflet produced at Richmond constituency office.

The bottom of the letter says ‘this is not a bill and no payment is required’.

The Mirror wrote:

“Sam Gibbs was responsible for the scam leaflet that scared people into thinking they owed money.”

Arnold Warneken, a Green councillor who represents Ouseburn on North Yorkshire Council, described the letter as “misleading and distressing”. Cllr Warneken said:

“It makes people think they owe money. Without doubt, it’s made to appear like an official document.

“The people of Stockton-on-Tees are due an apology for this misleading leaflet. It’s disgraceful behaviour by the Conservatives.”

Cllr Pat Marsh, who represents Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone on North Yorkshire Council and is leader of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, said it was “outrageous behaviour from the Conservatives”. She added:

“Sending out literature which would have been very frightening for many is so, so wrong. You have to ask the question ‘why?’

“To frighten people into voting against the opposition councillors on Stockton council in this way is totally unacceptable and should be investigated.”

The Stray Ferret contacted Cllr Gibbs and the Conservative Party but has not had a response.

90 jobs at stake as struggling Ripon firm Farmison seeks buyer

Struggling Ripon premium meat online retailer Farmison & Co is in negotiations with a potential buyer.

The firm, which employs 92 staff, is in advanced discussions with another online butcher, Tom Hixson of Smithfield.

A company called Tom Hixson Farmison was registered with Companies House this week. Thomas Hixson is listed as the sole director.

It is hoped the deal will be finalised next week and save jobs at one of Ripon’s biggest employers.

Farmison is based on Bondgate Green in Ripon

Last year Farmison founder John Pallagi sold the firm, whose customers include Harrods and Fortnum & Mason, to Scottish private investors Inverleith LLP.

Mr Pallagi remained as chief executive and a new three-year business plan was agreed.

But Mr Pallagi told the Stray Ferret today the plan had “faltered” and he hoped the situation would be resolved soon.

He has approached Ripon and Skipton Conservative MP Julian Smith and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for help after the company encountered “choppy waters” caused by issues such as war in Ukraine, the cost of living crisis and Brexit.

Mr Pallagi added:

“The most important thing now is protecting jobs and protecting the supply chain. I’m hoping a sale will support that.

“I’ve got people who have worked with me here for 11 years and we have gone from nothing to staying open during the pandemic and delivering seven days of the week.

“It’s unfortunate that we have got into this situation.”

Mr Pallagi said he was “not overly chuffed” at seeing the company he had built up face difficulties.

But he added he believed the Farmison model was the right one and the firm could have a strong future.

Mr Pallagi co-founded Farmison to work with local farmers and encourage people to ‘eat better meat’.

Despite sales doubling to £12m in 2021, the company then made a loss of £2.6m and faces an uncertain future if a deal is not reached.

The Stray Ferret has approached Tom Hixson of Smithfield for comment.

Stray Views: ‘Despair’ at Prime Minister’s maths proposal

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

I despair with the latest idea from the Prime Minister.

The concept of making all children study maths to age 18 shows how out of touch with reality Rishi Sunak is. Apart from the fact that this would cause chaos in schools at a time when there are so many other issues that the public want sorting out, beggars’ belief.

As a retired teacher and a life-long conservative. I would love to get Rishi in a room and give him a verbal thrashing. This ’intellectual’ ideal of maths to age 18 does not square with the reality that not all children are academic, and that there is a need for more practical and vocational training. Already in a post pandemic era there are thousands of young people who are disaffected and uninspired by the present education system.

This is partly due to rigid and inflexible curricula and staff protocols. The PM’s priority should be setting up a system like the pandemic ‘Nightingale Hospitals’ to take the ‘bed blockers’ out of hospitals, thus also reducing the blockages at A&E and freeing up ambulances.

We clearly need to train more doctors and nurses, but not every nurse needs a degree and perhaps going back to ‘on the ward’ training with paid trainees is the answer.

As for all the strikes such as rail workers and postal workers, the government needs to be more proactive in getting a resolution. Teaching maths to age 18 will not solve any of these issues.

Brian Souter, Starbeck

Another hospital for Harrogate should be built

Is there any reason why another hospital cannot be built instead of all the available land being used for housing?

I remember people saying it was a good idea for “another” hospital when it was proposed to demolish the general. It was said the hospital was getting a bit tatty, but there was surprise when land was sold for housing and not another hospital.

Also Carlton Lodge on Leeds Road which was used in addition for maternity was sold and everything – and I mean everything – was to be in the new district hospital.

There really should be another hospital. Not a bigger one, another one.

Anne Smith, Pannal

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Harrogate College backs PM’s call for compulsory maths until 18

Harrogate College has backed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s bid to ensure all students study maths until the age of 18.

A government press release has said Mr Sunak will this afternoon “commit to starting the work of introducing maths to 18 in this Parliament and finishing it in the next”.

In his first speech of 2023, he is expected to say studying maths to 18 will equip young people with skills needed for jobs and increase their financial confidence later in life when dealing with issues such as mortgages and savings rates.

Mr Sunak will say:

“One of the biggest changes in mindset we need in education today is to reimagine our approach to numeracy.

“Right now, just half of all 16–19-year-olds study any maths at all. Yet in a world where data is everywhere and statistics underpin every job, our children’s jobs will require more analytical skills than ever before.”

Harrogate College principal Danny Wild said Mr Sunak’s goal was admirable -— but needed to be supported by significant funding. Mr Wild said:

“Numeracy is increasingly important for all of us, and especially for young people entering a competitive and ever-evolving job market.

“So we do support the Prime Minister’s aim of ensuring that as many students as possible continue studying maths until the age of 18.

“Colleges and other further education providers will play a crucial role in delivering this goal – but it will only be achievable if we are given proper funding to recruit and retain the maths teachers we need.”

The college, a further education provider on Hornbeam Park, provides a wide range of courses including apprenticeships, T-levels and higher education for students in the Harrogate district.

80 bus services in North Yorkshire under threat, says Harrogate district MP

A Conservative MP whose constituency includes parts of the Harrogate district has said 80 bus services in North Yorkshire are under threat.

Nigel Adams, who represents Selby and Ainsty, revealed the number during Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament today.

Mr Adams, whose constituency includes Spofforth and Follifoot, told Rishi Sunak that last month bus operator Arriva stopped the only bus between Selby and Doncaster, leaving 40 Selby College students having to find alternative transport at short notice.

He added:

“Additionally across North Yorkshire about 80 other bus services are now under threat.

“Can he advise what action he will take to ensure that essential bus services are not withdrawn at short notice and ensure that these continue to be operated across Selby district and wider North Yorkshire?”.

Mr Adams said fellow North Yorkshire MP Mr Sunak, who represents Richmond, knew how “crucial” bus services were.

The Prime Minister replied:

“I’m pleased that the Chancellor has allocated funding for extra bus services across the country and I look forward to working with him (Mr Adams) to ensure that the money finds its way to rural areas like North Yorkshire to provide the connectivity that’s so important for people to have opportunity and get access to public services.”

Buses on a cliff edge?

Today’s comments by Mr Adams will fuel concerns about the future of many rural bus services in the Harrogate district.

Last week Cllr Keane Duncan, executive member for highways and transportation at North Yorkshire County Council, said the county’s bus network was “facing a really grave situation”.

He added:

“The message across the county is use it or lose it. We need people to support these services.”

Liberal Democrat councillor for Pateley Bridge, Andrew Murday, said residents of his division faced having just two services a day to Harrogate.

He said:

“We just have to do something about bus services, and encourage more people onto buses. We need to know how we are going to go about discouraging people from driving and encouraging people on to buses, so bus services can thrive.”

Seven months ago the government rejected the council’s bid for a £116m share of Boris Johnson’s high-profile Bus Back Better initiative, saying the local authority’s plans lacked ambition.

Harrogate councillor is Rishi Sunak’s agent in Richmond

Rishi Sunak’s appointment as Prime Minister this week has thrust a Harrogate councillor to the forefront of national politics.

Sam Gibbs is the Conservative Party agent in Richmond — Mr Sunak’s constituency.

As such, he works closely with Mr Sunak, who was elected to the safe Tory seat in 2015 with 51% of the vote. He increased this share to 64% at the last election in 2019.

Agents typically advise their MPs as well as oversee the smooth running of the local party.

Mr Sunak’s elevation to the highest office in the land is likely to increase the workload on the party in Richmond and on Mr Gibbs.

Besides helping Mr Sunak, Mr Gibbs, who lives on Forest Avenue in Harrogate, has served as the Conservative councillor for Harrogate Valley Gardens on Harrogate Borough Council since 2018.

Last year he campaigned for new ‘no cycling’ signs to be painted on footpaths on the Stray after local residents complained about speeding cyclists using the parkland.

Councillor Gibbs in a photo about the new tree lighting on the Stray.

This year he was appointed the cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling when council leader Richard Cooper reshuffled his team in March. He is also a member of the cabinet.

Election success this year

Harrogate Borough Council will be abolished in April but Mr Gibbs’ interest in local politics won’t end then.

This year he won the Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate division on North Yorkshire County Council in May’s local elections. He received 871 votes, ahead of Liberal Democrat David Johnson, who polled 545 votes and independent Lucy Gardiner, who received 331 votes.

It means he will represent the division for a further four-and-a-half years, first on the county council and, from April, on the new North Yorkshire Council.

The Stray Ferret contacted Cllr Gibbs, who is also a trustee of Harrogate and District Community Action, to ask about his role with Mr Sunak, and whether Mr Sunak’s appointment as Prime Minister would affect his councillor positions. However, he did not reply.

Is Ripon MP set for a role in Rishi Sunak’s government?

Julian Smith could be in line for a role in Rishi Sunak’s government, according to reports.

The Skipton and Ripon MP supported the new Prime Minister during the last two Conservative leadership contests.

According to an article on Bloomberg, the former Northern Ireland secretary could now be in line for a role in Mr Sunak’s government.

Bloomberg journalist Alex Whickham tweeted that ‘dark arts specialists’ Mr Smith and Gavin Williamson were set for jobs.

— big role certain for top ally Dowden

— Badenoch tipped for promotion after not fancying DIT

— rising star Claire Coutinho in line for decent job

— talk of Jenrick, Raab return

— and jobs for dark arts specialists Gavin Williamson and Julian Smith…https://t.co/C5F2nHpxa3

— Alex Wickham (@alexwickham) October 24, 2022

Mr Sunak was confirmed as Prime Minister this morning and is in the process of forming his first cabinet.

If appointed, it would be Mr Smith’s first job in government since Boris Johnson was in 10 Downing Street.

He served as Northern Ireland secretary from 2019 until 2020 and was a chief whip under Theresa May.

Yesterday, after Mr Sunak was confirmed as the Conservative party’s choice for leader, he tweeted that he was the “best possible person to deal with the current challenges we face”.

In @RishiSunak as Prime Minister the United Kingdom has the best possible person to deal with the current challenges we face. Finally.

— Julian Smith MP (@JulianSmithUK) October 24, 2022

Harrogate district MPs backing clear favourite as new PM set to be confirmed

Two Harrogate district MPs look to have backed the right candidate with the announcement of the next Prime Minister set to be made later today.

Rishi Sunak is on course to win the Conservative leadership contest after Boris Johnson withdrew from the race last night.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, and Julian Smith, Skipton and Ripon MP, are among the 155 MPs who have declared their support for the former chancellor.

Penny Mordaunt, who is also running for the leadership, currently has the support of 25 MPs.

Writing on his Community News website, Mr Jones said on Friday:

“I’m backing Rishi because he has the experience, ability and energy to tackle the problems facing our country.

“He instinctively reaches for the right solutions and now, more than ever, we need someone who will bring those qualities to our national politics. He has demonstrated proven, economic judgement in unprecedented times.”

Nigel Adams, Selby and Ainsty MP which includes rural Harrogate, had backed Johnson for the leadership before the former Prime Minister withdrew from the race.

General Election calls

It comes as opposition parties, including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, have called for a General Election to be held.

The Stray Ferret asked the Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative party what it made of the current situation in Parliament and whether it supported the suggestion of an election being held.

A spokesperson for the local party said:

“Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative Association is here to serve its members who hold a wide range of views and opinions.

“We strongly support democracy and believe general elections should take place when called through the appropriate channels.

“It is our understanding that the election timetable is already published unless the government of the day makes alternative arrangements.”

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP: ‘I’m ready for Rishi’

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has said he is backing Rishi Sunak to be the next Prime Minster.

The odds on Richmond MP Mr Sunak winning shortened overnight to 4/7, according to betting site Oddschecker.

Boris Johnson has slipped slightly to 79/40 and Penny Mordaunt remains the outsider at 16/1.

Mr Jones did not respond to questions from the Stray Ferret about who he was supporting but told his Community News website:

“I’m backing Rishi because he has the experience, ability and energy to tackle the problems facing our country.

“He instinctively reaches for the right solutions and now, more than ever, we need someone who will bring those qualities to our national politics. He has demonstrated proven, economic judgement in unprecedented times.

“I admired how he dealt with the Herculean challenges which faced the country when covid hit. He worked at pace to save businesses and jobs and to provide the cash our NHS needed to get us through the pandemic.

“This vote is about the future. That future needs energy and ability at the top of our politics. It needs someone who can assemble and lead a broad-based team. For me, that person is Rishi Sunak.”

Mr Jones joins fellow local Conservative MP Julian Smith, who represents Skipton and Ripon, in backing the former Chancellor.

However, Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams has thrown his weight behind Mr Johnson, who he served as a Cabinet Office minister.

Mr Adams has said Mr Johnson is the only candidate with a mandate to be Prime Minister and if anyone else is elected it will increase the likelihood of an early general election.

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Another hospital for Harrogate should be built

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Buses on a cliff edge?

Election success this year

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General Election calls

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