2024 York and North Yorkshire mayoral election
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| Turnout | 29.89% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Map of results by district. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 2024 York and North Yorkshire mayoral election was held on 2 May 2024 to elect the first mayor of York and North Yorkshire. It took place simultaneously with local elections across England and Wales and was won by the Labour candidate David Skaith.[1]
Background
[edit]The Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 introduced directly elected mayors for collections of local authorities in England. A devolution deal to create the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority encompassing the unitary authority areas of the City of York and North Yorkshire was signed on 1 August 2022, coinciding with the celebration of Yorkshire Day.[2]
Electoral system
[edit]The election used first-past-the-post to elect the mayor in accordance with the Elections Act 2022. All registered electors living in York and North Yorkshire aged 18 or over on 2 May 2024 were entitled to vote in the mayoral election.[3][4] It cost £2.2 million.[5]
Campaign
[edit]The Conservative candidate Keane Duncan said he would encourage more new-build houses to be sold under a national policy that would permanently discount their prices by up to 50% for first-time buyers.[6] He said he would spend 100 days travelling in a camper van around the area covered by the combined authority ahead of the election.[7] He said he would consider introducing bus franchising, were it to be cost effective.[8] He promised to fund two hours of free parking in all council car parks for a year.[9] Duncan has also promised to purchase the Grand Hotel in Scarbrough using mayoral funds and renovate it.[10]
David Skaith, the Labour candidate, said he would support the development of local businesses and supported a transport model similar to Andy Burnham's in Greater Manchester.[11] He has pledged to fund a cost of living recovery plan for the region, and fight for more GP and dentist appointments if elected.[12]
Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, the Liberal Democrat candidate, said she would support food banks and establish a scheme to deliver food to people unable to access them.[13] She published an election manifesto in April 2024, saying "My policies are to generate sustainable economic growth, create more affordable homes, and improve the health and wellbeing of all who live here."[14]
The independent candidate Paul Haslam said he would build houses on brownfield sites and support regenerative agriculture.[15] The independent candidate Keith Tordoff said he would cancel plans to include two offices for the combined authority in favour of a single office in York.[16] He also promised to supply free chickens to 2,000 households.[17]
Duncan and Tordoff both committed to not adding a levy to council tax to fund the combined authority.[16][18]
Candidates
[edit]Nominations closed on 5 April 2024 with six candidates standing for election.[19]
Conservative Party
[edit]The former Daily Star journalist, councillor and former council leader Keane Duncan, the police, fire and crime commissioner Zoë Metcalfe and the businessperson Matthew Freckelton sought the Conservative Party nomination. The party announced that Duncan had been selected in July 2023.[20]
Green Party
[edit]The Green Party selected Kevin Foster, a councillor and former soldier, as its candidate.[21]
Labour Party
[edit]Labour selected David Skaith, a Harrogate-born clothing shop owner and chair of the York High Street Forum, as its candidate.[22]
Liberal Democrats
[edit]The Liberal Democrats selected Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, the Countess of Swinton, a councillor and hotel owner, as their candidate.[23][24]
Independents
[edit]Paul Haslam, a management consultant who had served as a councillor on Harrogate Borough Council from 2014 until its abolition in 2023 and a councillor on North Yorkshire Council since 2017, resigned from the Conservative Party to stand as an independent candidate.[15]
Keith Tordoff, a former police officer and sweet shop owner, was selected to be the Yorkshire Party's candidate in June 2023.[25] He left the party after disagreeing with its leadership about his plan to supply thousands of free chickens.[26]
Opinion polling
[edit]| Dates conducted |
Pollster | Client | Sample size |
Skaith Lab |
Duncan Con |
Foster Green |
Cunliffe-Lister Lib Dems |
Tordoff Ind |
Haslam Ind |
Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26–30 Apr 2024 | Labour Together | N/A | 823 | 41% | 27% | 11% | 11% | 6% | 4% | 14 |
Election result
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour Co-op | David Skaith | 66,761 | 35.1 | N/A | |
| Conservative | Keane Duncan | 51,967 | 27.3 | N/A | |
| Liberal Democrats | Felicity Cunliffe-Lister | 30,867 | 16.2 | N/A | |
| Green | Kevin Foster | 15,188 | 8.0 | N/A | |
| Independent | Keith Tordoff | 13,250 | 7.0 | N/A | |
| Independent | Paul Haslam | 12,370 | 6.5 | N/A | |
| Majority | 14,794 | 7.8 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 191,279 | 29.89 | N/A | ||
By local authority
[edit]York
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour Co-op | David Skaith | 25,639 | 54.0 | N/A | |
| Conservative | Keane Duncan | 7,173 | 15.1 | N/A | |
| Liberal Democrats | Felicity Cunliffe-Lister | 5,945 | 12.5 | N/A | |
| Green | Kevin Foster | 3,609 | 7.6 | N/A | |
| Independent | Keith Tordoff | 2,543 | 5.4 | N/A | |
| Independent | Paul Haslam | 2,357 | 5.0 | N/A | |
| Turnout | 47,513 | 30.67 | N/A | ||
North Yorkshire
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Keane Duncan | 44,794 | 31.2 | N/A | |
| Labour Co-op | David Skaith | 41,122 | 28.6 | N/A | |
| Liberal Democrats | Felicity Cunliffe-Lister | 24,922 | 17.3 | N/A | |
| Green | Kevin Foster | 11,579 | 8.1 | N/A | |
| Independent | Keith Tordoff | 10,707 | 7.4 | N/A | |
| Independent | Paul Haslam | 10,013 | 7.0 | N/A | |
| Turnout | 143,766 | 29.64 | N/A | ||
References
[edit]- ^ "Labour wins York and North Yorkshire mayoral election". BBC News. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ "York and North Yorkshire devolution deal worth £540m to be signed". BBC News. 1 August 2022. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ "Local elections 2024: When and where are they, and who can vote?". BBC News. 19 March 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Guide to the first North Yorkshire mayor election". BBC News. 29 March 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ Barton, Andrew; Barrett, Thomas (16 January 2024). "£2.2m price tag for York and North Yorkshire's first mayoral election". BBC News. Archived from the original on 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ Chalmers, Graham (1 March 2024). "North Yorkshire mayoral elections candidate announces new 'Half-Price Homes' scheme to help first-time buyers". Harrogate Advertiser. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ Glenton, Kevin (23 January 2024). "Candidate for regional mayor begins 100-day campervan tour of North Yorkshire". York Press. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ Laver, Adam (4 December 2023). "Tory mayoral candidate for North Yorkshire Keane Duncan makes bus franchising pledge". Yorkshire Post. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ Laver, Adam (22 March 2024). "Mayor candidate pledges free parking in York and North Yorkshire – but rival criticises cost". YorkMix. Archived from the original on 22 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Keane Duncan will buy Scarborough's Grand Hotel and 'make it grand again'". Keane Duncan. 10 April 2024. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Connell, Dylan (25 November 2023). "'It's time for real change' - York business figure throws hat in the ring to be mayor". Yahoo News. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ "Home". David Skaith. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Libdem Mayoral Candidate's pledge to tackle food poverty". Harrogate Informer. 26 February 2024. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ Glenton, Kevin (1 April 2024). "Felicity Cunliffe-Lister publishes election manifesto". York Press. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ a b Barrett, Thomas (7 March 2024). "Harrogate councillor quits Tories to stand as independent candidate in York and North Yorkshire mayoral election". Harrogate Advertiser. Archived from the original on 18 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ a b Chalmers, Graham (8 February 2024). "Pateley Bridge candidate to be powerful new North Yorks mayor calls for a single headquarters located in York". Harrogate Advertiser. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ Laver, Adam (8 June 2023). "Former Ripper detective promises free chickens if he is elected North Yorkshire mayor". YorkMix. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ Chalmers, Graham (7 February 2024). "Tory seeking to be North Yorkshire's first elected mayor announces major pledge on taxes". Harrogate Advertiser. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ Bryson, Julia (6 April 2024). "York and North Yorkshire mayor: Six candidates stand in election". BBC News. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ Connell, Dylan (15 July 2023). "Conservatives choose candidate for Mayor of York and North Yorkshire". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ Barrett, Thomas (1 November 2023). "Green Party picks ex-soldier to run for mayor of York and North Yorkshire". York Mix. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ Tate, Lesley (18 December 2023). "Business owner is Labour's candidate for North Yorkshire Mayor". Craven Herald. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ Plummer, John (5 February 2024). "Lib Dems chose Swinton Park owner to stand for North Yorks mayor". The Stray Ferret. Archived from the original on 18 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ Leake, Natasha (24 March 2023). "Countess of Swinton newly elected lib dem councillor and owner of the Swinton Estate". Tatler. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ Chalmers, Graham (4 June 2023). "Bid for power: The first candidate striving to be elected North Yorkshire's first-ever mayor has emerged". Harrogate Advertiser. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ Laver, Adam (16 June 2023). "Yorkshire Party mayoral candidate quit after 'chicken policy disagreement'". The Stray Ferret. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ "Statement of persons nominated" (PDF). North Yorkshire Council. 5 April 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "York & North Yorkshire Mayor election results". BBC News. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ a b "York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority mayoral election results 2024". City of York Council. 3 May 2024. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
