Ben Houchen's mayoralty is the one loss that Tory MPs considering their PM's future have said they will not be able to stomach
Ben Houchen's mayoralty is the one loss that Tory MPs considering their PM's future have said they will not be able to stomach
McEwan is right to be cautious. Houchen retains a bedrock of support, despite his party plummeting in popularity. At a cafe near Hartlepool, two elderly women from nearby Seaton Carew tell“I hope it’s Ben, he has done a lot for the area,” says one, who did not want to be named. “But Middlesbrough is Labour and people have short memories.”Houchen was the region’s first metro mayor and the impression he used his powers to “get stuff done” is widespread.
Last week he called the 90:10 deal – it was previously 50:50 public/private – “unforgivable” and accused the mayor of gifting away millions which could have gone to social projects.Houchen hit back accusing Gibson, who was vice-chair of the board when it agreed to a 50:50 deal, of “ulterior motives”, insisting the deal was positive for Teesside and one he would sign again.
But there are Houchen placards lining many roads in the leafier parts of the region, including several on land near the former Judges hotel, near Stockton’s Yarm, a country manor house recently bought by businessman Chris Musgrave – one of the businessman benefiting from the controversial 90:10 Teesworks deal.
Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves have been among a rolling cast of Labour frontbenchers sent up to buttress McEwan’s efforts. However, most Conservative Cabinet ministers have avoided the area, as the Tory brand is clearly a drag on Houchen’s campaign.McEwan has made trust a central plank of his offer, alongside a bus fares cap, free parking and new CCTV to aid public safety – the Cleveland Police saw the highest crime rate in the country in 2023.
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