The Northern Agenda

😮 Selby and Ainsty by-election: can the 25-year-old Labour candidate cause a huge upset in North Yorkshire?

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Episode notes

Back in 2019 as Labour's red wall was crumbling in the North, Boris Johnson ally Nigel Adams was strolling to a 20,000 majority in the safe North Yorkshire seat of Selby and Ainsty.

So it says something about how the fortunes of the main parties have changed since then that when locals go to the polls in next week's by-election - caused by Nigel Adams quitting after failing to get a peerage - there's every chance that Labour could cause a huge upset and take the seat.

After a fair amount of cajoling and WhatsApp messages Rob Parsons managed to secure interviews with the candidates for both the main parties. 

For Labour there's Keir Mather, a 25-year-old who was born in Hull and grew up near Selby, who's most recent job was at the Confederation of British Industry. 

And the Conservatives' candidate, chosen at the second attempt, is Claire Holmes, a barrister and a local councillor in the East Riding of Yorkshire. 

How's the campaign going, what are the big issues for voters, and what do they make of each other? Have a listen and find out.

Rob also catches up on this week's Northern news - including hydrogen in our homes, a possible U-turn on the North's railways and a new investment zone for South Yorkshire - with Henri Murison of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership.

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Don't forget you can now watch the best interviews from The Northern Agenda podcast on YouTube - check out our playlist at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzE0rXt9oGq2nfc3VHw-Pzx1tttiLpP6z

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The Northern Agenda is a Laudable production for Reach. It is presented by Rob Parsons, and produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin.

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