Mayors seek added strength with pact

AT the huge UKREiiF property conference at Leeds's Royal Armouries, the sunscreen was traded in for umbrellas on Wednesday as delegates tried to stay out of a day-long deluge.

- ROB PARSONS

But there was still a full house in the Places For Life Pavilion where curious business and political leaders had a chance to hear for the first time from the North's (joint) newest metro mayor, York and North Yorkshire's David Skaith.

In a 'meet the mayor' session, Labour's David Skaith who triumphed earlier this month in Rishi Sunak's backyard - told how he wanted his new patch to be known for more than just Emmerdale and York Minster. Making housing more affordable is also near the top of his priorities.

He lifted the lid on the meeting he and his fellow mayors had with Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, where he and the likes of Oliver Coppard and Tracy Brabin all described their region's 'unique selling point' that could contribute to Labour's national policies.