Labour has won the first election for mayor of York and North Yorkshire, the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s electoral backyard in UK local polls on Friday.
In what was described as “historic” victory, Labour’s David Skaith won the York and North Yorkshire combined authority mayoral elections.
Skaith, a York businessman, won with 66,761 votes defeating his rivals Conservative candidate Keane Duncan who came second with 51,967 votes, and Liberal Democrats candidate Felicity Cunliffe-Lister in third on 30,867.
According to BBC, the total 191, 279 votes, or just under 30% of the total electorate, were cast in the race to be the region’s first mayor.
A Labour Party spokesperson in a wild celebration said Sunak’s own constituents had chosen Labour over the Tories.
The spokesperson said, “This is a truly historic result in York and North Yorkshire. Keir Starmer’s Labour party is now winning in Rishi Sunak’s backyard. The Prime Minister’s own constituents have taken a look at the two parties and chosen Labour.”
Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB KC is a British politician and barrister who has served as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labour Party since 2020. He backed Skaith to win in Sunak’s constituency.
Taking the stage at Harrogate’s Convention Centre after his victory was announced, Skaith thanked his wife Alice, his two children and staff and supporters.
“We’ve got a great opportunity to bring York and North Yorkshire together and really grow as one collectively.
“The message is clear from York and North Yorkshire that we want change,” he said.
On the other hand, responding to his defeat, Duncan said, “Inevitably, I’m very disappointed, as you can imagine but we fought a fantastic campaign and reached corners of the county I never knew existed.”
victory, Skaith said, “I have always been driven by the fact that this is for York and North Yorkshire. And it is a bit personal as well.
“I have a business here, I have a young family here, I grew up here.”
He added, “I think we do want to see different people in politics, I certainly do. I’ve been completely fed up with the last 14 years of where we’ve been going.
“People just saying random things and not sticking to any ideas and just putting soundbites out. Coming into this from a different background will be a great positive.”