Labour-style policies lost Tories mayoralty in Sunak’s backyard

A Tory MP has warned a Labour-like pledge could have cost the party a crucial mayoral race in Rishi Sunak’s backyard.

Sir Robert Goodwill, the Conservative MP for Scarborough and Whitby, suggested a string of left-field policies from Keane Duncan, the Tory candidate, may have spooked some of the locals, contributing to a stinging defeat for the Prime Minister on his home turf.

While he argued Mr Duncan was a “very good candidate” overall, Sir Robert said there were a “few eyebrows raised” in the region by some of his more radical pledges, which included half-price homes for first-time buyers.

In particular, he said Mr Duncan’s vow to buy and restore the historic Scarborough Grand Hotel was more befitting of a Labour politician, warning “we need to think carefully about policies like that”.

Labour declared victory “in Rishi Sunak’s backyard” on Friday after its candidate David Skaith won the newly created mayoralty in York and North Yorkshire, which covers the Prime Minister’s constituency of Richmond.

It was an embarrassing blow for Mr Sunak in an area where the Tories would traditionally be expected to perform well.

Asked if he thought some of Mr Duncan’s more ambitious ideas, such as nationalising the Grand, could have played a part in the defeat, Sir Robert said: “I think that’s probably the case.

“Certainly, as far as my constituents are concerned, there were a lot of eyebrows raised about the Grand Hotel.”

He added: “Maybe some of the ideas need a bit more work and certainly eyebrows are raised. Nationalising hotels is something you’d expect the Labour candidate to be talking about.”

During his campaign, Mr Duncan, a former leader of Ryedale council, had pledged to use new powers to secure control of the “infamous” hotel from current owner Britannia.

He argued the funds for the takeover could be raised in partnership with the private sector, meaning “no big bill for taxpayers”. However, rivals branded the pledge an “unfunded gimmick” and warned it would “blow the authority’s budget”.

Sir Robert said the idea sounded too ambitious. “I don’t think the Grand Hotel would have happened. You’re looking at between £40 and £50 million to refurbish a building that size,” he said.

Pressed on whether the Tories would have fared better with someone else on the ticket, he said: “No, Keane was a very good candidate. He has been the leader of Ryedale council and he was a good candidate. I just think some of the ideas didn’t necessarily resonate with people.

“And also don’t forget North Yorkshire is very large, so spending a big slice of your budget in Scarborough is not going to go down very well in Skipton or Harrogate, or even in York.”

Labour won all but one of the mayoral contests over the weekend, unexpectedly snatching the West Midlands from Tory incumbent Andy Street after a nail-biting count.

On Mr Skaith’s victory, a Labour spokesman said: “This is a truly historic result in York and North Yorkshire. Keir Starmer’s Labour Party is now winning in Rishi Sunak’s backyard. The Prime Minister’s own constituents have taken a look at the two parties and chosen Labour.”