West Yorkshire general election debate

David Herdson – Yorkshire Party – Ossett and Denby Dale

David Herdson is the deputy chair of the Yorkshire Party.

He works in IT and is a former councillor and school governor
who lives with his wife and son in Crigglestone, near Wakefield.

Katharine Macy – Liberal Democrat – Colne Valley

Katharine Macy is the secretary of the Young Lib Dems and is
currently studying for a PhD on autism in evolution.

They joined the party in
2017 and currently work for Lib Dem HQ part time in the campaigns team and have
an interest in diversity, heritage and education.

Katie White – Labour – Leeds North West

Katie White was born and raised in Adel, in Leeds. After graduating from university she went on to work for Friends of the Earth and WWF-UK.

If elected she would be only the third female to have represented a
parliamentary seat in Leeds, after Alice Bacon and Rachel Reeves.

Martin Hey – Green Party – Halifax

Martin Hey became the Green Party’s first councillor in
Calderdale after being elected in 2022 to represent the Northowram and Shelf.

Born in Ovenden he now lives in Northowram and works as an
accountant.

Sam Firth – Conservatives – Leeds East

Sam Firth is a Conservative councillor for the Harewood ward in
Leeds. He was first elected in 2018.

He is a former family carer and works closely with community
groups and partner organisations supporting local vulnerable residents.

Sarah Wood – Reform UK – Spen Valley

Sarah Wood was born in Halifax and has spent the past 21 years
working as a chartered engineer.

She previously stood for the Brexit Party in Halifax in the 2019
general election.