“There are many common wishes for York” – MP Julian Sturdy

With the dust settled on the local elections, it only seemed appropriate to use my latest column to assess the results in York.

As is now a tradition, the local elections ushered in a new government, with Labor taking the baton from the Liberal Democrats and the Greens.

While I would criticize the sanity of life in a “single-party” city, it should also be noted that York’s track record of never electing a government for a second consecutive term also hurts York City Council’s long-term decision-making as parties seek short-term emergency measures to make an impact during their limited four-year tenure.

While there were many fundamental differences, there was much common aspiration for our city in the Labor and Conservative manifestos: no more than lifting Blue Badge restrictions – the issue most often raised on the doorstep , on the other hand, when I was campaigning for City on behalf of conservative candidates.

It is good to see that the new Conservative Group leader, Cllr Chris Steward, is committed to working with the Labor Group on this issue, as I joined Rachael Maskell MP in an adjournment debate last month to bring about a cross-party United front for our campaign for the city to show access to the center.

I can’t reflect on the results of the local elections without paying tribute to Paul Doughty, who unfortunately missed out on re-election by 42 votes.

He has been a premier representative of the Strensall community for 12 years and has done an excellent job as leader of the Conservative Group for the past four years.

He worked tirelessly for his community and always raised local issues with me to ensure I could better represent the residents of Strensall, Earswick, Hopgrove and Stockton-on-the-Forest in Parliament.

He fought successfully to save Towthorpe tops, chaired the Health Scrutiny Committee since 2014, did his part to protect the Union Terrace car park, founded the Strensall Youth Club with the York City FC Foundation and most recently campaigned for protection of General Practitioner Services in Stockton-on-A-The Forest.

He will be sorely missed by York City Council and local residents. Thanks Paul for everything you’ve done!

However, this disappointment was tempered by the return of three Conservative councillors, who bucked the national trend.

As previously mentioned, Cllr Chris Steward is now leader of the Conservative Group.

He brings a wealth of experience to this role, having previously been Chair of York City Council, helping to reformulate the local plan to eliminate inappropriate developments in favor of community-backed proposals.

Chris will be joined by newly elected Cllr Michael Nicholls, representing Bishopthorpe and Acaster Malbis.

I have already worked closely with Michael to support First Bus on the 11 bus and to ensure that GP services remain in the village. I look forward to continuing these campaigns with him and working with him over the next four years.

Chris and Michael are joined by Cllr Martin Rowley, who was re-elected with an increased vote.

Martin has been a major advocate for the communities of Osbaldwick and Derwent for the past four years and has also been an advocate for the Armed Forces on York City Council.

Together, the conservative group will work on behalf of our city and use their influence to advocate for the lifting of blue badge restrictions, better subsidies for bus services, an approved local plan, lower city taxes and more.

York may have bucked the national trend, but I would be remiss to ignore it entirely. Unfortunately, a thousand Conservative councilors were not brought back, and in most cases local issues may not have played a role.

The Prime Minister is not deaf to this reality and is more eager than ever to meet the public’s priorities, particularly when it comes to dealing with rising costs.

Talking to the residents, it’s clear that he has their support, but only if he can keep his promises. I have every confidence that he will succeed and I will work to support him.