Richard campaigns all year round on issues of concern to Copmanthorpe residents, including protecting the green belt and improving local roads and bus services. He has lived locally in Horseman Avenue since 1990 and is a former Copmanthorpe parish councillor.

Richard’s wider political concerns include the environment, public transport, health and education. He works for the British Library at Boston Spa and is also a governor of the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Outside of politics Richard has a wide variety of interests, including travel, languages, music and genealogy.