New Tory resignation prompts criticism by Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems
There are calls for a by-election in Knaresborough after the latest Tory resignation by a councillor.
Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats say Coun Kathryn Davies, who represents Aspin and Calcutt Ward on Knaresborough Town Council, should give residents deserve the chance to have their say after she stood down from the Tory Party and redesignated herself as an Independent.
Andy Bell, Chair of Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats who was Deputy Mayor of Knaresborough Town Council from 2024-25, said: “Voters in Aspin and Calcutt ward elected a Conservative councillor, not an Independent.
"Residents deserve the opportunity to have their say on this change of affiliation.
"We call on Councillor Davies to seek a fresh mandate from voters by standing as an Independent, and not to join Reform or any other party before facing the electorate again.
"This situation reflects a growing pattern seen with Conservative councillors across the country, and recently here in Harrogate with John Mann, where voters are left represented by individuals they did not elect under their current political affiliation.
"Local people deserve transparency, accountability and the right to choose who represents them.”
Last November, a senior Harrogate county councillor announced he was quitting the Tory Party for national reasons.
Councillor John Mann, who represents the Oatlands and Pannal Division on North Yorkshire Council, now acts as a Reform UK councillor.
In 2024, Cllr Paul Haslam (Bilton and Nidd Gorge) resigned the Conservative whip to stand as an independent in the York and North Yorkshire mayoral election.