David Skaith | |
---|---|
Mayor of York and North Yorkshire | |
Assumed office 7 May 2024 | |
Preceded by | Office established |
Personal details | |
Born | David Robert Skaith December 1985 (age 38) Harrogate, Yorkshire, England |
Political party | Labour |
Spouse | Alice Skaith |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | York St John University |
David Robert Skaith (born December 1985) is a British Labour Party politician who has served as Mayor of York and North Yorkshire since May 2024.
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]
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]
Turnout for the election in North Yorkshire was 29.64%. Turnout was 29.89% for the combined authority area of York and North Yorkshire.
Skaith is married to Alice, they have two children,[2] and live in Wheldrake.[3] His brother is a police officer in Harrogate.[8]