‘Ripon did not want a Tory and now they have one’, claims councillor

Ripon councillor Andrew Williams has resigned from the North Yorkshire Independents group after forming a political alliance with the Conservatives.

Cllr Williams, who is also the leader of Ripon City Council, is one of three independents to have joined a new Conservatives and Independents Group.

The Conservatives announced the group on Friday, saying it had been formed “to secure the stable and sustainable governance of North Yorkshire Council” in the wake of the party losing its majority.

The Tories have 45 of 90 seats — precisely half — on North Yorkshire Council following Cllr Mike Jordan’s defection last month.

The new alliance will help them maintain control until the next local elections in 2027.

Cllr Williams was elected to represent Ripon Minster and Moorside on North Yorkshire Council in last year’s local elections with 1,453 votes. The Conservative candidate was third with 312 votes.

Stuart Parsons

Cllr Stuart Parsons

He has yet to respond to questions about his decision from the Stray Ferret but Cllr Stuart Parsons, who leads the North Yorkshire Independents group, said Cllr Williams had resigned “very late on Thursday evening”.

He added:

“The new ‘Tory Group’ just shows what the Conservative Party will do to cling on to power.

“With just over 40% of the vote they still believe that they have a god-given right to rule. Their new name also sullies the use of the word ‘Independent’.

“When a city like Ripon, which had previously returned two Tories, sent their message to North Yorkshire Council it was with one Liberal Democrat and one Independent.

“Ripon quite clearly showed that they did not want a Tory and yet now they have one.”

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The other independents to join the new group are Cllr Caroline Goodrick, who represents Sheriff Hutton and Derwent and Cllr Robert Heseltine.

However, they are among seven unaffiliated independents whereas Cllr Williams was one of nine members of an Independents group.

Cllr Parsons echoed Lib Dem concerns about whether discussions between the Tories and independents involved using council resources for party political purposes.

He said:

“We will be monitoring very closely.”

Election 2022: Ripon Minster and Moorside candidate preview

Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret is previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.

A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.

Today, we look at the Ripon Minster and Moorside division which will see three candidates standing for election.

Thomas Averre, Conservative

Thomas Averre will be the Conservative candidate for the Ripon Minster and Moorside division.

Mr Averre said he was standing for North Yorkshire Council to “bring new energy into local government and improve local services”.

He said his priorities for council would be restoring faith in politics, improving Ripon’s infrastructure and to make “the most of the opportunities the new unitary authority is bringing”, including funding and new powers.

Mr Averre said:

“Candidates are elected to represent the views of residents, but often seem to have the answers before they have asked the questions. 

“Trust and credibility matters to me so I’m not making lots of promises that can’t be delivered or airing a view on issues I won’t be able to influence, but instead outlining my priorities that will guide my approach if elected. On straightforward issues like potholes and litter, I will work quickly to fix them and keep residents updated on progress. 

“On complex issues like social care funding, planning and economic development, I will take time to listen to residents and fully understand issues before coming to a judgement based on the Council’s capabilities and Ripon’s needs.”

Andrew Williams, Independent

Andrew Williams will be standing as an independent candidate in the division.

Mr Williams, who lives in the city, is currently the leader of Ripon City Council.

He is one of two independent candidates standing in divisions in Ripon.

On why he is standing for the new North Yorkshire Council, Mr Williams said he wanted Ripon to have a “greater say over its own affairs”.

Mr Williams said:

“As a lifelong Riponian I am passionate about Ripon but not about party politics which is why I am standing as an Independent so that I can speak up for Ripon rather than been directed how to speak by a political party.

“North Yorkshire County Council has had an overwhelming Conservative majority for years and look at the state of the roads in Ripon and the cuts to youth services which they have imposed upon our city.

“Unlike my Conservative opponent I live in Ripon and the decisions taken regarding Ripon impact my family as much as they do you, it’s time for Ripon to have a greater say over its own affairs and every Independent vote on Thursday will help to achieve it.”

Thomas Cavell-Taylor, Liberal Democrat

Thomas Cavell-Taylor is the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Ripon Minster and Moorside division.

Mr Cavell-Taylor will be one of two Liberal Democrats standing in divisions in Ripon.

He is currently a co-opted governor at Ripon Grammar School.

Mr Cavell-Taylor ran as a Liberal Democrat candidate for the Ripon Spa ward on Harrogate Borough Council in May 2018, but lost to the Conservatives.

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