Business leaders call for stability and growth after Labour landslide

Yorkshire and Humber Conservatives could only cling onto a handful of consolation victories in a devastating General Election night for the party.

The region generally saw Labour replicate the success it achieved nationally, with a few hiccups along the way.

One recent poll had even forecast Rishi Sunak could be the first sitting British Prime Minister in history to lose his seat in a general election. But in the event, he comfortably defended his Richmond and Northallerton constituency.

In Keighley & Ilkley, incumbent Conservative Robbie Moore hung on against Labour challenger John Grogan by a margin of 1,625 votes, with 2,037 votes going to an independent candidate who stood in opposition to the Gaza Strip war.

The impact of the Gaza war also hit home in Dewsbury and Batley, which was taken by another independent candidate – Iqbal Hussain Mohamed.

Elsewhere in West Yorkshire, the Conservative Philip Davies, who has been in the news with reports that he bet £8,000 he would lose his seat, will have some cash to fall back on after losing to Labour’s Anna Dixon.

Other Labour gains from the Conservatives in Yorkshire and Humber included Wakefield and Rothwell, Scarborough and Whitby, Hull West and Haltemprice, Calder Valley, Ossett and Denby Dale, Colne Valley, and Leeds North West.

Keir Starmer

Labour’s Rachel Reeves was elected as MP for the new constituency of Leeds West and Pudsey. She is expected to become the country’s first female chancellor of the exchequer.

And Yorkshire can also take note of the fact that the country’s next Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, is a University of Leeds graduate.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats are set to achieve their best national result for a century with wins in 72 constituencies. The party got its first victory of the night in Harrogate and Knaresborough – managing a 15.8% swing to seize it from the Conservatives.

Reacting to the results this morning, West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce said it hoped Keir Starmer would recognise that placing Yorkshire at the heart of Britain’s economic policy can help drive the whole country back to much-needed growth.

Amanda Beresford, chair of the chamber, said: “On behalf of our members I wish to congratulate Keir Starmer on becoming Prime Minister.

“Our hope now is that Sir Keir makes good on the manifesto commitment to grow the economy and create the environment that allows businesses in Yorkshire to grow, invest and create jobs and prosperity.”

The chamber has put forward five “key asks” for the new government, which include a call to foster a stable pro-growth culture for start-ups, scale ups and any business wanting to create jobs, economic prosperity and export opportunities.

It also wants the next government to: create improved transport connectivity between the east and west of the North of England; reform the education curriculum to ensure employers can find the skilled workers they need, hand over more health and taxation powers to West and North Yorkshire’s two Mayoral Combined Authorities; and help the hospitality industry by cutting VAT, lessening the burden of energy bills and adding the sector to the Shortage Occupation List to assist with the staffing crisis.

Martin Hathaway

Managing director of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Martin Hathaway, said: “As a new Government is formed by Keir Starmer, we need to work in partnership with him to grow the economy, nationally and locally here in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.

“The new Chancellor Rachel Reeves is well respected by Yorkshire businesses, and we are looking forward to hearing more about her plans to increase productivity.

“A long-term strategy is needed to enable sustainable growth. Business don’t want handouts, they want Government to create the right conditions nationwide for the economy to thrive.

“I hope that Labour can deliver on their manifesto promise of being pro-business and pro-worker.”

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, commented: “It’s about time this country saw a change in Government. It’s time for change.

“For the Labour Government to achieve real change, they must work closely with Mayors, who can deliver on the ground and drive the transformation that the country deserves.

Carrie Sudbury

“It’s also time to change the way that Government see York and North Yorkshire. We have a powerful role to play in supporting UK Government to achieve their aims for UK growth. I will be a champion for York and North Yorkshire and our potential for leadership.

“It’s time to shift the dial for rural economies and position York and North Yorkshire alongside our more industrial neighbours. We’re not in competition, we complete the picture.”