MALCOLM Birks, the Labour Party prospective Parliamentary candidate for Skipton and Ripon, was invited to the regular Saturday coffee morning at Gargrave Village Hall last Saturday.

Mr Birks gave a short talk and then encouraged a very lively question and answer session with interested representatives from across the political spectrum.

He said afterwards: “There was obviously a difference of opinion in the audience but the discussion was friendly and informative. I think local people are realising that the Skipton & Ripon constituency is not a haven of wealth and comfort and has very real challenges for large sections of the population.

"For instance, few people know that 31 per cent of working people in the constituency earn less than the Living Wage. There is clearly a need for change.”

Meanwhile Ann Cryer, former Labour MP for Keighley, talked about her time in politics at a meeting at Skipton’s Soroptimists Rooms.

She spoke movingly about her fight against child sex grooming and her views on the right-to-die debate and there followed a lively question and answer session.

Mr Birks, praised her for her dignity, integrity and bravery and thanked her for taking the time to come and talk about her career.

He said: “Ann is a role model for the way MPs should represent and defend the interests of their constituents. She has been a courageous and independent voice and is an inspiration to me and many others who aspire to make a difference to people’s lives through politics.”