New Conservative MP calls for unity in opposition
Charlie Dewhirst was elected to represent Bridlington and The Wolds with a majority of 3,125
- Published
The Conservative Party must promote a united front in opposition, according to East Yorkshire’s newest MP.
Charlie Dewhirst was elected to represent Bridlington and The Wolds with a majority of 3,125.
He is one of a small number of newly-elected Tories to arrive at Westminster, following the party’s general election drubbing.
Mr Dewhirst said: “It’s a case of coming together in very trying circumstances. We’re a much smaller group and our lack of unity has been part of our downfall."
'Constituency first'
Like the rest of his Conservative colleagues, Mr Dewhirst will sit on the opposition benches in the new parliament.
Asked what he hoped to achieve as a backbencher, the MP replied: “I will have interests as part of the rural economy, also in sport, but first and foremost it’s constituency first.
“Our seaside towns have different challenges to some of our inland towns and I’m looking forward to representing everyone equally and doing everything I can to support them."
Before entering parliament, Mr Dewhirst was a senior policy adviser to the National Pig Association.
He was an East Riding of Yorkshire councillor, representing the East Wolds and Coastal ward, but stepped down in June 2024 ahead of the general election.
The constituency of Bridlington and The Wolds was formed from the old seat of East Yorkshire, previously represented by Conservative Sir Greg Knight, who did not seek re-election.
Elsewhere in the region, Graham Stuart was re-elected as Conservative MP for Beverley and Holderness following a recount.
The former energy minister won by just 124 votes, with Labour's Margaret Pinder coming second.
Conservative Sir David Davis, the former Brexit Secretary, won in the newly formed constituency of Goole and Pocklington.
In Hull, Labour's Emma Hardy took the redrawn constituency of Hull West and Haltemprice and Karl Turner was re-elected as the MP for Hull East.
Meanwhile, Dame Diana Johnson won the redrawn seat of Hull North & Cottingham for Labour.
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