LIBERAL Democrat James Keeley has resigned as his party's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for the Skipton and Ripon constituency.
His surprise resignation comes just weeks after the constituency’s Conservative MP for more than 20 years, David Curry, announced he would not be standing at the next election.
A fortnight ago Mr Keeley, a leading barrister, said Mr Curry’s decisi
on made the race to find the next MP for Skipton and Ripon was “wide open” and he looked forward to the General Election.
But in a statement to local party officers this week, Mr Keeley announced “with great regret” that he was resigning as PPC.
“However, my reasons for entering politics – namely the search for equality, justice and freedom – burn brighter than ever. It is also for those reasons that I will remain a member of the Liberal Democrat party,” he said.
“Over the past two years I have had the wonderful opportunity to travel the length and breadth of the constituency. I have also had both the pleasure and the privilege to meet some remarkable people.
“The whole experience is one I will never forget, and I thank all those who have made both me and my family feel so very welcome.
“My greatest fortune is my wife and my daughter. The fact that I am no longer a PPC will mean that I can spend even more time with them.”
The Skipton and Ripon Liberal Democrats local party chairman, Coun Andy Rankine, said: “We are very sorry to have received James’ resignation as our PPC, but fully understand his reasons. James has been an excellent candidate who has helped us to build our strength as a party over recent years.”
