Losing Conservative candidate Kean Duncan
A Tory MP has warned that a promise like Labour's could cost the party a crucial mayoral race to Rishi Sunak's Backyard.
Sir Robert Goodwill, the Conservative MP for Scarborough and Whitby, suggested that a series of left-wing policies by Conservative candidate Kean Duncan may have spooked some local residents. contributing to the prime minister's painful defeat on his home turf.
While he insisted Mr Duncan was “a very good candidate overall”, Sir Robert noted there were “raised eyebrows among some of his representatives” in the region. more radical promises, including half-price housing for first-time buyers.
In particular, he said Duncan's vow to buy and restore Scarborough's historic Grand Hotel was more befitting of a Labor Party politician, warning that “we need to carefully consider such a policy.”
Rachel Reeves, Labour's shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labor Party, with David Skythe, the new Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, at Northallerton Town FC pitch on Friday Photo: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images
Labour The party declared victory “in Rishi Sunak's backyard” on Friday after its candidate David Skyte won the newly created mayoralty of York and North Yorkshire, which covers the Prime Minister's constituency of Richmond.
It was a nasty blow for Mr Sunak in an area where the Tories have traditionally been expected to perform well.
Asked whether he thought some of Mr Duncan's more ambitious ideas such as The nationalization of the Grand may have played a role in the defeat, Sir Robert said: “I think so.”
“Certainly, as far as my constituents are concerned, the Grand Hotel has raised a lot of eyebrows.”
Sir Robert Goodwill said eyebrows had been raised in the region. Photo: Richard TownshendHe added: “There may be some ideas that need further development and eyebrows are certainly being raised. The Labor candidate is expected to talk about hotel nationalization.”
During his election campaign, Mr Duncan, the former leader of Ryedale Council, promised to use new powers to ensure control of the “infamous” hotel from the current owner of Britain.
He argued that funds for the takeover could be raised in partnership with the private sector, meaning “no big bill for taxpayers”. But rivals branded the pledge an “unfunded ploy” and warned it would “damage the government's coffers.”
Sir Robert said the idea sounded too ambitious. “I don’t think the Grand Hotel would have happened. To renovate a building of this size you would need between £40 million and £50 million,” he said.
Asked whether the Tories would have done better if someone else had been on the ticket, he said: “No, Keane was a very good candidate. He was the leader of Ryedale council and was a good candidate. I just think some of the ideas didn't necessarily resonate with people.
“And don't forget that North Yorkshire is very big, so spending most of your budget in Scarborough won't work. very well in Skipton or Harrogate or even York.”
Labour won all but one of the mayoral elections at the weekend, unexpectedly snatching the West Midlands from Tory incumbent Andy Street after a painstaking vote count.
On Mr Skate's victory, a Labor Party spokesman said: “This 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.”
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