Independent council leaders from across Hartlepool, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Stockton have today (16th April) thrown their weight behind sitting Mayor Ben Houchen and endorsed him for a second term as the region’s mayor.
Backing Mayor Houchen, the independent leaders – including Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston - said it is only because of the current metro mayor’s “vision, drive, and dedication” that Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool have been transformed into a “magnet for international investment” that is creating tens of thousands of skilled jobs.
Mayor Houchen said: “I am honoured to have the backing of all the independent council leaders from across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.
“Over the last 4-years we have made real progress, we’ve saved our airport from closure and secured new flights to more destinations, we’re breathing new life into the former Redcar steelworks and creating thousands of jobs, the UK’s biggest freeport will be right here in Teesside creating 18,000 skilled jobs that will put more money in the pockets of local workers, and hundreds of government jobs are being created for local workers with Treasury North and Trade North coming to Darlington.
“The choice at this election is clear, we can stick to the plan that’s working and delivering investment and jobs for local people, or we can go back to square one with Labour with a mayor who would rather play political games than work with Government to deliver for local people.”
Cllr Shane Moore said: “For decades our region had been forgotten with investment drying up and jobs being lost, with local people feeling the Government had turned its back on us. But under the leadership of Ben as our mayor all this has changed. Our region is being taken seriously in Whitehall like never before; we’re now a magnet for international investment thanks to the Teesside Freeport and the Teesworks site, both of which are creating thousands of skilled, well-paid jobs for local workers.
“We need a mayor who will put local people first, who’s more interested in working with Council’s and Government to improve the lives of people who live in Hartlepool, Darlington and Teesside rather than one who’s more interested in cheap political point scoring. That’s what we get with Ben and that’s why we’ve achieved so much working together.
“Nobody wants to go back to the dark days of our region being ignored and side-lined, but that’s what will happen if Ben is not returned as mayor, so I urge everyone to vote for Ben Houchen on May 6th.”
Mayor Andy Preston said: “Middlesbrough’s at the very heart of the Tees region so I’m massively pleased that all of our towns are revelling in a new sense of optimism and ambition. Great things are happening. Ben Houchen deserves huge praise and support for this because he’s personally driven so much of it! Ben’s determination, positivity and passion for Teesside has won us the UK’s second biggest freeport, which is already bringing thousands of well-paid jobs for Teessiders via the awesome GE Renewable Energy project. Let’s keep this positive momentum and build on it by voting for Ben Houchen on May 6th.”
Cllr Mary Lanigan said: “If it wasn’t for the work done by our Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, the former Redcar steelworks would still be languishing, deserted with SSI and the three Thai banks trying to hold our steelmaking communities to ransom by demanding hundreds of millions of pounds. Instead, we have control of all the land and we’re getting on and breathing new life into the site with over 500 well-paid jobs already created and thousands more to come.
“We have the freeport that will create 18,000 jobs over the next 5-years and plans have been agreed or submitted that will create over 20,000 – smashing the target set in the masterplan for the site’s redevelopment. The closure of our steelworks in 2015 was a hammer blow to our town and our communities that many people thought would take decades to overcome. Nobody thought just a few years on from that dark day we would be here, at the beginning of a new dawn for the site and our communities. We’ve achieved so much over the last 4-years, but we cannot risk everything we’ve accomplished by going back to square one. That’s why I want to see Ben re-elected as our Tees Valley Mayor on May 6th.”
Cllr Antony High, leader of the Independent Group at Middlesbrough Council, said: “Over the last 4-years Ben has shown his determination to improve the whole of the Tees Valley.
“He’s delivered on huge promises that should see the creation of thousands of jobs and he’s played a valuable role in putting Teesside on the map securing major investment for our area.
“I believe the Tees Valley Mayor should have only one vision for the region and that is to deliver, and continue to deliver, the priorities of local people.
“What we desperately need locally are long-term careers and quality jobs that put more money into the pockets of local workers, helping to strengthen and build our communities.
“With this in mind, Ben Houchen is simply the best candidate for the job and he will be receiving my support to help deliver on his word.
“In my opinion, party politics aside, Middlesbrough and wider Teesside should be backing Ben for re-election on May 6th.”
Cllr Kevin Nicholson, from the Darlington Independents, said: “Ben has delivered excellence for our communities across the Tees Valley. He’s shown that with hard work and passion you can achieve great things.
“His record shows that when things get tough he stands head and shoulders above others and ensures that the people of Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool come first in all he does. A change at the top table right now won’t help our journey, but will stall Ben’s hard fought recovery for decades to come, so please back Ben, like I will be, on May 6th.”
