Ben Houchen, the re-elected Tory mayor for Tees Valley, has publicly committed to working with any future prime minister, including potential Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, to benefit the local area. Despite his Conservative affiliation, Houchen notably did not wear his party's rosette during his victory speech, which he later said he 'forgot', and omitted any mention of the Conservative Party or Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. His stance comes amid discussions within the Tory party, where he warned against any moves to replace Sunak, describing such actions as 'farcical'.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has said he will "absolutely" work with Sir Keir Starmer if the Labour leader is elected prime minister. Read more 🔗 https://t.co/Reg8Om12n4
Lord Houchen was the only candidate on stage not to wear a party rosette at the Tees Valley count, saying later he “forgot” https://t.co/u6SKqCPmG1
Ben Houchen 'absolutely' willing to work with Starmer if Tories lose general election 🔗 https://t.co/cZWd4dPVdX
My interview with @BenHouchen in which the re-elected Tees Valley mayor says it would be “farcical” for Conservative MPs to try to oust Rishi Sunak @BBCNewsnight https://t.co/FS6XGChH6x
"It's also about this man next to me", says Ben Houchen of his re-election, despite having spent much of the campaign holding Rishi Sunak's government at arm's length. https://t.co/eoA2gdd9lZ
The Tory rebel plot is off and it’s Ben Houchen who has saved Rishi Sunak’s bacon Rishi has hot footed it up to Tees Valley to hail Ben’s victory And Ben praises Rishi - says he could not have achieved what he has without the PM https://t.co/MlK5dHjZXf
Tory bosses v buoyed by Ben Houchen Has Ben saved Rishi’s bacon?
Ben Houchen says he "forgot" his Tory rosette https://t.co/dU2AWXZwuR
Rishi who? Tory Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen fails to mention PM Sunak in re-election victory speech and says he could 'absolutely' work with Keir Starmer as PM - as Boris Johnson ally 'forgets' to wear blue Conservative rosette at poll count https://t.co/qi9vAshtBi https://t.co/ItUmTKPHFb
'Would you work with Keir Starmer?' - @SophyRidgeSky 'I'll work with anybody who wants to help me deliver for local people', says re-elected Tory mayor for Tees Valley @BenHouchen. https://t.co/9KiZ26eia7 📺 Sky 501 https://t.co/IvY4f74cbV
Ben Houchen tells me: Tory MPs thinking of replacing Rishi Sunak should back off. Moving against PM would be “farcical”
Notable that Ben Houchen didn't mention or thank the Conservative Party or the Prime Minister in that speech. Also wasn't wearing his party's rosette on stage...
Ben Houchen doesn't appear to be wearing a Tory rosette as he makes his victory speech... https://t.co/k1yFCkYtA6
Ben Houchen - waiting for the result- is the only candidate on stage not wearing his party’s rosette. https://t.co/b1e3Ays0zy
Ben Houchen says he backs Rishi Sunak, but will work with any PM, including a Labour one, to help Tees Valley - https://t.co/0YPWH00huw
Ben Houchen tells @ShingiMararike he'll work with the Prime Minister whoever it is - if there's a change of Gvt and a Labour Prime Minister that won't change
Ben Houchen speaking to @skynews as Labour concede he has won - "If there's a change of government I'll work with anyone"