(Image: Staff)

'I was completely wrong about this York councillor – here's why'

I KNOW this won’t do either me or Councillor Dave Merrett any favours, but I think it should be said.

He has been around York politics for years. He rightly lost his position after the Lendal Bridge controversy. I was dead against him standing in Guildhall Ward. So it’s only fair to admit he has proved me completely wrong.

Despite being Labour’s most experienced councillor, Dave Merrett was, until a few days ago, a backbencher. Yet, time and again, he was the one who stepped up, whether it was ward casework, planning, housing or community safety, He understood both the policy and the practicalities and, if he didn’t know, he learnt it.

He also took on the largely under-the-radar role, and particularly challenging role of chairing the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Audit Committee, a job that never gets any recognition.

For some time I have thought his experience was needed to strengthen the Labour Executive. Others will no doubt disagree, but I think this is a good appointment and one that will benefit York.

Sometimes the hardest thing in politics is admitting you’ve changed your mind.

On this one, I have.

Gwen Swinburn,

The Groves,

York

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