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18
Apr 2024
Bilton independent candidate leans on business experience in mayor campaign
Bilton resident Paul Haslam believes his extensive business experience stands him in good stead to be Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.
The Bilton and Nidd Gorge councillor was the last of six candidates to throw their hat into the ring to be the inaugural mayor.
Standing as an independent, Mr Haslam has centred his campaign around the economy and emphasised his business experience as his credentials.
Born in Lancashire before moving to Harrogate in 2006, he spent his career working for various businesses in retail management including New Look and Poundstretcher.
Mr Haslam set up his own consultancy firm, which specialises in areas such as change management, the circular economy and mergers and acquisitions. His clients have included Adidas and national supermarkets.
He was also chief executive of Leyland SDM, a London-based decorators’ merchants, which he helped to sell to Grafton Group in February 2018.
During an interview with the Stray Ferret, Mr Haslam pointed to this as an example of the experience he feels the mayor needs.
He said:
Paul Haslam
Mr Haslam said the mayor needs to be able to help grow the economy and attract businesses to the county.
One area of business that has been of interest to him is food security. He said as mayor he would promote farms, food production and sectors such as agri-tech.
The topic has been included in his online manifesto, which includes pledges on affordable housing, tourism and adult education and skills.
He has also identified public transport as an area that he feels needs to be tackled.
One of the policies he has proposed is a single ticket for travel across North Yorkshire. As chair of Transport for the North’s scrutiny committee, he says he has pushed for such a ticket for five years:
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Mr Haslam has also been a keen proponent of introducing new railway stations in areas such as Claro Road. He says the station would be a similar size to Hornbeam Park and would help to ease car journeys during rush hour.
Mr Haslam admits the scheme would be expensive, but believes it would be good value for money.
He said:
'A step change'
Last month, Mr Haslam resigned the Conservative whip to stand for mayor.
As part of his campaign literature, he says that as an independent mayor he would be “free from party shackles”.
However, he faces the prospect of campaigning against established parties on the election trail.
When pressed on why specifically he decided to stand for mayor, he said he felt the role offered an opportunity for “a step change” in North Yorkshire:
The York and North Yorkshire mayor will be chosen by residents of the region in an election on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
The full list of candidates is:
- Keith Tordoff, independent
- Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Liberal Democrats
- Keane Duncan, Conservative Party
- David Skaith, Labour Party
- Kevin Foster, Green Party
- Paul Haslam, independent
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