David Skaith

David Skaith
Skaith in 2024
Mayor of York and North Yorkshire
Incumbent
Assumed office
7 May 2024
Preceded byOffice established
Personal details
Born
David Robert Skaith

December 1985 (age 39)
Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
Political partyLabour Co-op
SpouseAlice Skaith
Children2
Alma materYork St John University

David Robert Skaith (born December 1985) is a British Labour and Co-operative Party politician who has served as Mayor of York and North Yorkshire since May 2024.

Early life

Skaith was born in December 1985.[1] He was raised in Harrogate and was a keen cricketer in his youth before studying sport at York St John University.[2][3]

Career

He moved to Brighton while his future wife studied to be a teacher before returning to North Yorkshire where he started a small business, Winstons of York menswear store, in York in 2015 and, in the same year, joined the Labour Party.[3] He also served as the chair of the York High Street Forum.[4]

Skaith resolved to get into politics after his father died during the Covid pandemic.[3] He unsuccessfully stood for election for City of York Council in May 2023 before being elected as the first-ever mayor of York and North Yorkshire in May 2024.[5][6] Campaign pledges included turning the A64 road into a dual carriageway, expanding affordable housing and more police and police community support officers.[7]

Personal life

Skaith is married to Alice, they have two children,[2] and live in Wheldrake.[3] His brother is a police officer in Harrogate.[8]

References

  1. ^ "David Robert SKAITH personal appointments". company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Labour wins York and North Yorkshire mayoral election". BBC News. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Laver, Adam (5 March 2024). "David Skaith: 'My dad was alone dying for three days, now I want to get into politics'". The Yorkshire Post. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  4. ^ "North Yorkshire mayor candidate: David Skaith". BBC News. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  5. ^ Greenwood, Darren (11 April 2023). "David Skaith hopes to take Wheldrake on City of York Council". York Press. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  6. ^ Laver, Adam (3 May 2024). "Labour wins York and North Yorkshire mayoral election". BBC News. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Who is Labour North Yorkshire mayor candidate David Skaith". BBC News. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  8. ^ "David Skaith: Profile of the first directly elected mayor for York and North Yorkshire". ITV News. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.