York has a new councillor – Labour’s Kallum Taylor elected to Holgate

Labour’s Kallum Taylor is the new councillor for Holgate.

He won with a comfortable majority of 539 on a turnout of 32.4%.

It means the Labour Party hold the seat vacated when former Lord Mayor Sonja Crisp retired from the council.

Posting on Facebook, the York Labour Party said:

Thank you so much to everyone who voted for Kallum today. The real work begins now. We will not let you down.

‘Big challenges’

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Kallum is a 27-year-old senior communications officer with the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust and lives in the ward.

Speaking before the election, he said: “Holgate has got some big challenges as has York.

“The York Central Development, which lies within the ward, has to provide solutions that are right for the city and not be just a chance for someone to make a quick buck.

“There’s so much going wrong in this country at the moment and I felt it was necessary to try and do something for my community.”

‘Strong second’

York Liberal Democrates hailed “a strong second place” in the Holgate by-election by candidate Emma Keef.

In the 2015 local elections the Lib Dems finished fourth in the ward, behind both the Conservatives and the Greens.

But Emma increased the vote by 19.5%, leapfrogging the Conservatives and Greens who finished a third and fourth respectively.

Emma said: “I am delighted that I have been able to greatly increase the Liberal Democrat share of the vote here in Holgate.

“Although I am disappointed not to be elected on this occasion, I would like to thank all of those who voted for me and those that dedicated their time to help me during this campaign.”

York’s Lib Dem leader Cllr Keith Aspden said:

The Holgate by-election sends a clear signal that only the Liberal Democrats can challenge Labour in York.

The Liberal Democrats are the only credible alternative to Labour in York and we will continue to work hard to represent residents of the city.