A new chair has been appointed by the organisation which represents regional political correspondents in Westminster.

Yorkshire Post lobby correspondent Kate Langston, left, has been unveiled as the new chair of the Newspaper Conference following its annual general meeting.

Patrick Daly, parliamentary correspondent for the Bristol Post, Hull Daily Mail and Grimsby Telegraph, was elected vice chairman.

Kate’s appointment comes after predecessor Annabelle Dickson left her job as Archant’s political editor to take up a new role with Politico Europe, as reported on HTFP yesterday.

Said Kate: “I am delighted to take on this role at a time when covering politics has never been more exciting or challenging.

“Local and regional newspapers have a fundamental to play in reporting on the general election and Brexit on behalf of our readers in communities across the UK.

“I look forward to working towards ensuring that local and regional newspapers have the best possible access to political leaders here in Westminster at this important time for our country.”

Kate started her career as a trainee reporter on the Western Morning News in April 2014, before taking up the position of Westminster reporter in the Parliamentary lobby in May 2015.

She left the WMN to join the Yorkshire Post as their lobby correspondent in October 2016.