East Riding deputy leader quits to stand in general election as another councillor stands down

East Riding Council's deputy leader his quit his seat to stand in the upcoming general election while another councillor has stood down.

Charlie Dewhirst, who has served as East Riding Council's deputy leader since May last year, has been selected as the Conservative candidate for Bridlington and the Wolds. His departure from the council comes alongside that of fellow Conservative Claire Holmes and Hull Live understands her decision to quit is not related to the upcoming general election.

The departures have triggered council by-elections in Mr Dewhirst's East Wolds and Coastal ward and for Ms Holmes' South East Holderness seat. A date for the by elections is yet to be set.

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It leaves the ruling Conservative group on the council with 25 of its 67 seats. The Conservatives run the council as a minority administration with the support of the Independent Group.

Mr Dewhirst, who works for the National Pig Association, was first elected to the council in 2021 following the death of sitting councillor Paul Lissiter. He became the authority's deputy leader in 2023 following local elections which saw the Conservatives lose their majority and Anne Handley defeat Jonathan Owen in a subsequent leadership contest.

Ms Holmes, a criminal barrister by trade, won her South East Holderness seat in May 2021 in a by-election held that year. Her time at the council saw her serve on its Cabinet as planning portfolio holder. She stood as the Conservative candidate for Selby and Ainsty parliamentary by election in July but lost to Labour's Keir Mather.

Mr Dewhirst is set to go up against seven other candidates who are also contesting Bridlington and the Wolds. The seat is currently East Yorkshire which is held by Conservative Greg Knight who is standing down at the general election on Thursday, July 4.

Its boundaries were altered slightly following Boundary Commission England's review of constituencies which published its final proposals last year. Conservative Mr Dewhirst is set to go up against Labour's Sarah Carter, Liberal Democrat Bridlington North councillor Jayne Phoenix, Green Gill Leek and the Social Democratic Party's Carlo Verda.

Sitting Bridlington South councillor Tim Norman is standing for the Yorkshire Party. Maria Bowtell, the councillor for Bridlington Central and Old Town who defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK in March, is standing for the latter.