New North Yorkshire Mayor say there's 'opportunity to bring region together'

The new Mayor of North Yorkshire say there's now an opportunity to bring the region together.

David Skaith won the first ever mayoral election here - winning just over 35% of the vote.

He starts the role officially on Tuesday

The result is a blow to the Prime Minister, bringing a defeat in an area previously considered a Conservative stronghold and containing his own constituency of Richmond.

Appearing at Northallerton Town Football Club with new mayor Mr Skaith, the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said:

"It's an amazing moment in history, to have a Labour victory here.

"We have had really good results across the country all day long, but this is a very, very special moment, David, to become the mayor here."

He added:

"Through the villages and the towns of North Yorkshire, people are voting for change. They voted for Labour, a changed Labour Party able to earn the trust and the respect of voters in York and North Yorkshire."

Sir Keir said the win was "vindication" for the Labour Party and showed that "people are fed up with a failed government".

"This is a historic victory, the villages and towns of North Yorkshire - this is the heart of Tory territory," he said.

Mr Skaith won 66,761 votes, with Conservative Keane Duncan coming second on 51,967 and Liberal Democrat Felicity Cunliffe-Lister coming third on 30,867.

The new Labour mayor is a small business owner and chairman of York High Street Forum.