North Yorkshire mayor candidate: Keith Tordoff

Keith Tordoff is one of six candidates hoping to become the first elected mayor of York and North Yorkshire

Keith Tordoff is a Pateley-Bridge based businessman who used to run a sweet shop, described as the world’s oldest.

He now runs a gallery selling classic and vintage movie posters.

He served in West Yorkshire Police for 20 years and was appointed MBE in 2018 for services to business and the community.

He is standing as an Indepedent.

He says he favours a straightforward style

Using his status as an independent, Mr Tordoff says he would be able to listen to people from all backgrounds, identify problems and then, using his business experience, find solutions.

He says he would a adopt a "no nonsense approach" to be being mayor driven by his passion for, and love of, North Yorkshire.

He wants more buses at more times of the day and week

Mr Tordoff says rural communities, especially like those in the Yorkshire Dales, are in real need of better connectivity

He wants to take a close look at what is stopping people using certain bus services to see if it is cost or frequency of the services.

He says he would work with bus companies to extend evening and weekend services.

The candidate makes makes no commitment to bus franchising but will examine the idea.

He was a police officer for two decades

Mr Tordoff says 20 years as a serving police officer gives him unique insight into what the police force and the communities it serves need.

He says services are understaffed and under equipped and he is determined to change that.

Mr Tordoff adds he would talk with “appropriate” parts of the private sector about sponsorship and support for the police and fire services.

Brownfield sites could help with housing numbers, he says

Mr Tordoff says he wants to end homelessness in York and North Yorkshire, pledging everyone would have a roof over their head within two years of his election.

He says he would work closely with charities and housing associations and wants 2,000 new modular and environmentally-friendly homes built on brownfield sites.

In his own words