Julian Sturdy

A Liberal Democrat Councillor on Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council has defected to the Conservative Party. This means the Conservatives now have a majority on Harrogate Borough Council.

In his letter of resignation to the Liberal Democrats, Councillor John Wren said:

“The Leadership of the Liberal Democrat Group is more interested in scoring points off the Conservatives than in serving the best interests of the Borough and the well-being of constituents is my first priority. I have come to see that the Conservative administration of the Council are more in tune with this sentiment than the Liberal Democrats ever could be.”

During my five years representing Marston Moor Ward on H B Council I worked with John and always found him to be a hard working local Councillor prepared to put people above politics, a man of principle and someone I always respected. This will not have been a decision he would have taken lightly but it goes to show how far the Conservatives have come under David Cameron over the last few years, as more and more people are joining the party, especially from the Liberal Democrats.    

David Cameron came to Haxby Memorial Hall on September 18th where local residents from across York were able to put their questions direct to him and he was left in no doubt about the strong support he has in the region following the warm and enthusiastic welcome he was given.

The hall was packed with people from all political backgrounds, and all ages too, eager to quiz him on topical issues. There was even one question from a seven-year-old girl asking him what he had eaten for breakfast that day. David Cameron gave a humorous reply as he described the chaotic family breakfast in his home with his three young children, which sounded no different to any other home including mine.

David Cameron wants to take politics back to the people, back to the grassroots. There is nothing he enjoys more than talking directly to people and answering their questions unscripted. And the audience at Haxby was great, firing lots of pertinent questions at him, if you want to watch a recording of the event please click here.

Chris Grayling Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions was up in York last week speaking at the Citizens Advice Bureau Conference held at York University.

Following the event I took Chris to York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce who are based at the Innovation Centre on York Science Park. We met with members of the Chamber to discuss key issues facing businesses across the county at this current time and the effect of current Government legislation on small and medium enterprises.