Labor wins mayoral election 'in Sunak's backyard'

David Skyte, pictured with Sir Keir Starmer, defeated the Tories in York and North Yorkshire. .eip.telegraph.co.uk/45645f4f-49b9-4c9e-b5d1-29824b381707.html?direct=true&id=45645f4f-49b9-4c9e-b5d1-29824b381707″ class=»tmg-particle Sticky-nav wrp-45645f4f- 49 b9 — 4c9e-b5d1-29824b381707″ title=»Local elections sticky navigation» data-business-type=»editorial» loading=»eager» scroll=»no» Frameborder=»0″ allow=»web-share» style=»width : 100%; min-width: 100%; border: none; position: block; padding: 0px;»>

Labour declared victory «in the backyard of Rishi Sunak» after winning the mayoral elections in York and North Yorkshire.

David Skate won the newly created mayoralty , which covers the Prime Minister's constituency of Richmond.

Three of the four mayoral elections called on Friday were won by the Labor Party, with Kim McGuinness winning in the North East and Claire Ward in the East Midlands.

A Labor Party spokesman said of Mr Skate's victory: » This victory is a truly historic result in York and North Yorkshire. Keir Starmer's Labor Party is now winning in Rishi Sunak's backyard. The prime minister's voters looked at both parties and chose the Labor Party.»

The Richmond constituency, the former home of former Tory leader William Hague, has never been held by the Labor Party and has been a Tory stronghold since the early 20th century.

Mr Scythe said: «It is clear across the country that we want change.» .

However, the Tories held on in Tees Valley, where Lord Houchen won a third term with 54 per cent of the vote.

Mr Sunak joined Lord Houchen and Tory activists after his victory said he had » message for the Labor Party,” and added: “They know that to win the general election they need to win here.”

“They assumed Tees Valley would just come back to them, but that hasn’t happened. People knew they couldn't be taken for granted, they knew Ben and the Conservatives had their back and they stuck with you through this election.

“And I know that will happen with the general election. they will stay with us because they don't want to be taken for granted.»

The result was a ray of hope for Mr Sunak in the face of losses in councils and mayors across the country.

In the East Midlands, Ms Ward became the region's first elected mayor and beat Ben Bradley, the Conservative candidate who is also MP for Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and leader of the council counties.

In the north east, Ms McGuinness defeated independent former Labor politician Jamie Driscoll, who had been blocked by the party from running for re-election.

Recommended

Wake up Rishi or lose the next election, warns Dame Andrea Jenkins. Read more