On Thursday (5th May 2021) voters across North Yorkshire headed to the polls to have their say in the North Yorkshire County Council elections with Councillors taking up seats on the new Unitary Authority of North Yorkshire Council in 2023.

Regrettably, my fellow candidates and I from Craven Liberal Democrats were unsuccessful in our campaigns. Our sister branch in Ripon, however, has seen two exceptional campaigners rightfully elected as Councillors, not to mention the greater successes we have seen across the county with twelve Liberal Democrats duly elected.

Candidate announcement from Luke Allan, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Settle and Penyghent:

It gives me great pleasure to announce that I am standing, once again, as the Skipton & Ripon Liberal Democrats Candidate for the North Yorkshire electoral division of Settle and Penyghent this May.

To say the last two years have been difficult would be an understatement. Life has been tough for lots of people over the past few years, and the future is far from bright. The Conservatives have been taking all of us for granted: ignoring lockdown rules, throwing parties, and overseeing a huge rise in the cost of living, to name but a few. The Tories also voted against our calls to stop sewage dumping in Britain's rivers, opting to give water companies a 'free pass'. We can't trust them to do what's right for us.

On May 5th voters will go to the polls to vote for their representatives on North Yorkshire County Council, Ripon City Council, Skipton Town Council and a by-election for Wathvale ward on Harrogate Borough Council.

Here are our candidates (click on the name to find more details):

RIPON CITY COUNCIL

Moorside ward: Tom Cavell-Taylor, Paul Dinning

On International Women's Day, we observe and celebrate the incredible contributions of women in every corner of the world, workplace and society. Today, we celebrate the women pushing and redefining boundaries, defying stereotypes and shattering glass ceilings.

Founded on the 8^th March 1911, individuals and organisations continue to proudly unite to observe and promote the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. International Women's Day not only helps to shine a spotlight on women's rights issues, but it is a crucial reminder of the work that lies ahead and why we all need to play our part to strive and fight for gender parity.

An application to re-route heavy goods vehicles to a housing site at Aldersley Avenue is likely to cause an increase in collisions and damage kerbs and parked cars, a Skipton councillor has said.

Speaking before a recent meeting of Craven District Council's planning committee Cllr Eric Jacquin's report was in relation to an application on behalf of Skipton Properties for the discharge of condition 12 (ref 2021/23425/CND) 'the routing of Heavy Goods Vehicles to the site to avoid Skipton Town Centre', and instead puts forward an alternative route.

With a new week ahead of us, the Prime Minister will be hoping to shake off the by-election defeat, ministerial resignation and No 10 party revelations that have been dominating the headlines.

Last week, we made history. We popped Boris' bubble!

Voters in North Shropshire sent a message to Boris Johnson, and that message was heard loud and clear: the party's over. For over 200 years, North Shropshire had been held by the Conservatives. But we pulled off the impossible and served up an unforgettable defeat for Boris and his party.

"In line with our decision to suspend campaign activities in response to the death of the Duke of Edinburgh and the latest announcement from the Party, all campaign activity will be suspended from 13:00 on Saturday 17th April until 08:00 on Sunday 18th April to mark the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh."

"In light of the sad news of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, my campaign team and I have decided to continue our suspension of all campaign activity for the remainder of this weekend.

"Losing a loved one is never easy, tragically it is a feeling that many have experienced during the last thirteen months. Unfortunately, I know this feeling well as I continue to process the death of my grandmother, who I helped care for during her brief battle with cancer last year.

Craven Liberal Democrats announce young campaigner and activist, Luke Allan to contest the upcoming Craven by-elections for the Craven District Council ward of Penyghent and North Yorkshire County Council division of Ribblesdale - two of three by-elections scheduled to take place in Craven this May.