Labour wins mayoral races in 'Rishi Sunak's backyard', York and North Yorkshire, North East, and East Midlands

3 May 2024, 14:26 | Updated: 3 May 2024, 15:56

Labour has won two mayoral races in the north of England, including one in "Rishi Sunak's backyard", as well as the East Midlands mayor.

David Skaith won the York and North Yorkshire mayoral race, which covers Rishi Sunak's constituency of Richmond.

Mr Skaith gained 35% of the vote, beating the Conservatives' Keane Duncan, who had 27.3% in second place.

A Labour party spokesperson hailed the "truly historic result".

"Keir Starmer's Labour Party is now winning in Rishi Sunak's backyard," the spokesperson added.

"The prime minister's own constituents have taken a look at the two parties and chosen Labour.

The full result was:

• David Skaith (Lab): 66,761 (35.1%)
• Keane Duncan (Con): 51,967 (27.3%)
• Felicity Cunliffe-Lister (Lib Dem): 30,867 (16.2%)
• Kevin Foster (Green): 15,188 (8%)
• Other 25,620 (13.5%)

Read more: Sunak stands firm: Rishi says he is 'focused on the job at hand' despite 'worst local election results for 40 years'

Read more: Local Elections Live 2024: Jubilant Keir Starmer celebrates Labour by-election victory at rally - as Tories topple

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In the North East, Kim McGuinness defeated Mr Driscoll, who was blocked from running for the mayoralty by Labour, and resigned to run as an independent.

She will speak for two million people in the newly created role, which covers an area including Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham.

Ms McGuinness won over 40% of the vote, while Mr Driscoll, the former North of Tyne mayor, gained over 28%.

No other candidate came close, with the Conservatives on just under 12%.

The full breakdown of the result was:

• Kim McGuinness (Lab): 185,051 (41.3%)
• Jamie Driscoll (Ind): 126,652 (28.2%)
• Guy Renner-Thompson (Con): 52,446 (11.7%)
• Paul Donaghy: (Reform) 41,147 (9.2%)
• Other: 43,116 votes (9.6%)

The turnout was 31%.

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Later on Friday, Labour's Claire Ward won the East Midlands mayoral election - meaning she became the first mayor elected for the region.

The three Labour wins came after the Conservatives' Ben Houchen retained the Tees Valley mayoralty for his party.

It comes amid a difficult time for Rishi Sunak, with the Prime Minister under pressure as his party suffers a dismal set of election results.

But Mr Sunak has vowed to continue focusing on his work in Downing Street.