Cllr Iain Lindley's Diary

Back when I was a student in York, I spent a good few weekends with friends from the University Conservative Association over in nearby Harrogate helping with the campaigns there. A group of us spent local election day in 2002 (and again in 2003) on the streets in places like Harlow Moor, Bilton and High Harrogate helping to elect more Conservative Councillors. I learned a lot from the campaigning I did in Harrogate and from the Harrogate Conservative Councillors who were fine hosts.

Harrogate Conservatives gained seats in 2002 and 2003 and finally managed to gain outright control of the Council in 2004. The political balance has been on a knife-edge ever since and since this year’s elections the Conservative group has comprised exactly half the seats – 27 out of 54.

Now for the good news – the Deputy Council Leader Councillor Richard Cooper has announced today that a respected Liberal Democrat Councillor has had enough and is joining the Conservatives, giving the Conservative Group a majority on the Council. Welcome to the Conservative Party Councillor Wren!