In our series profiling the six candidates for Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, we come to our final portrait the well loved and well known Cllr Anne Handley the Conservative candidate. Just a reminder, these profiles aren’t political hit-pieces or gotcha interviews. Instead, we step back from the noise to focus on something more lasting—the person behind the policies. We are unashamedly positive and celebrate our fellow citizens who, despite the compromises politics demands, remain anchored in their values. They’ve chosen to step into the spotlight, to face the crowd, and to offer themselves in the hope of making a difference.
Anne Handley isn’t a politician who fits the mould. She is not someone who grew up in privilege, nor is she a career bureaucrat. She is, first and foremost, a woman who has lived a real, working-class life—driving trucks, working in factories, and spending years as an educator before stepping into the political arena. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and a genuine desire to make her community a better place.
Born and raised in Thorne, near Doncaster, Anne Handley’s upbringing was marked by the hardworking influence of her mother. “My mum worked very hard, sadly my dad didn’t,” she says with characteristic frankness. Her education at Thorne Grammar School was chaotic, and she admits she didn’t learn much. But adversity didn’t deter her. Instead, she pursued further education at Goole and Hull College, eventually becoming a lecturer—a career she stayed in for 17 years.
Anne Handley’s life has been shaped by an array of jobs, each one instilling a different lesson. From working in an egg packing factory to sewing, to driving a 7.5-tonne truck delivering gravel and topsoil, she’s experienced the struggles of ordinary working people firsthand. Even now, as the Leader of East Riding Council, she approaches her work with the same grit and determination she applied to every job she’s held.
She is, above all, a doer. “I have had many jobs, and in each one, I put in 100% effort. Today, as Leader of East Riding Council, I am still putting in 100%,” she says. “That is what you do.”
A Political Journey Built on Action
Anne’s entrance into politics was gradual but purposeful. She started at the grassroots level as a parish councillor in Rawcliffe. She enjoyed being able to help people, and it didn’t take long before she became the Chairman. In 2019, she took the next step and was elected as a ward councillor for Goole with East Riding Council. Just a year later, she was appointed to the cabinet, and by 2023, she had made history—becoming the first female leader of East Riding Council.
Her rise wasn’t just about personal ambition; it was driven by a steadfast commitment to her community. Her proudest moments reflect this ethos. “The birth of my children, of course, but also opening my foodbank/social supermarket and warm space,” she says. “It has helped so many—from the homeless to struggling families to the elderly who have lost winter fuel payments, and even those escaping domestic violence. It has become a one-stop shop for so many people, and I am proud of the work the volunteers do.”
That drive to help people is precisely what fuels her campaign for mayor. “I was told to stop wasting my time talking about a devolution deal for Hull and East Riding—that it would never happen,” she recalls. “But look where we are now. If I had taken that advice, we would still be on the sidelines, missing out.”
A Leader with a Plan
Anne Handley’s vision for the role of mayor is ambitious but rooted in practicality. “Sometimes it’s the small things that make a difference—better transport options, improved roads, stronger high streets. Then there are the bigger issues, like bringing in investment, creating more job prospects, and supporting our coastal communities.”
She emphasises the importance of listening to residents and working with them to create change. “It’s their journey,” she says firmly. “We should never forget that. Communication is vital.”
Public safety, homelessness, and employment are at the top of her priority list. “I want people to feel safer in our communities. I want to help people get back into work. There are so many things that need to be done, but working with the fantastic agencies we have, together we can start to make a difference.”
The Woman Behind the Politician
Despite her strong work ethic, Anne Handley is not all business. Her sense of humour is “whacky,” she admits, and her idea of a perfect Friday night is as relatable as it gets: “Shoes off, sloppy clothes, nice food, a good film, and maybe, the odd G&T.”
“Sometimes it’s the small things that make a difference—better transport options, improved roads, stronger high streets. Then there are the bigger issues, like bringing in investment, creating more job prospects, and supporting our coastal communities.”
Her partner is her rock. “For the most part, he leaves me to it,” she laughs. “But when I need a shoulder or a lift, he’s always there.”
Her life has been shaped by personal loss as well. “Losing my brother in such a tragic way still affects me. It made me realise how important family is—we take them for granted, but we shouldn’t.”
When asked about who she admires most in politics, her answer is clear: Margaret Thatcher and Winston Churchill. “Thatcher showed people like me that we could buy a house. She stood by her decisions. And Churchill—he was the greatest leader this country has ever seen.”
A Mayor for the People
Anne Handley’s strong sense of duty is what ultimately defines her. “I have a strong moral compass to do the right thing,” she says. “We all have a responsibility to do the right thing.”
And every day, she wakes up with the same motivation: “Trying to make a better place for all of us. No two days are the same, but in every meeting, I focus on making the right decisions for the greater good.”
For Anne, the mayoral race isn’t about power—it’s about people. It’s about making the lives of those in Hull and East Riding better. Whether she’s fighting for investment, better transport, or public safety, one thing is certain: she will give it everything she has.
That’s what she’s always done.