Ben Houchen is the Mayor of the Tees Valley.
Dear Candidate,
As we embark on the journey of selecting our new leader for the Conservative Party, I am writing to share my thoughts on how we can ensure this leadership contest starts the firing gun on our return to competent government based on our foundational conservative values, rather than leading us to an extended stay in the political wilderness, fuelled by ideology.
Recently, there have been worrying instances that suggest the potential for our leadership contest to evolve into a fractious, personal, and divisive event. This would reflect poorly on the individuals involved, but also on the Conservative Party as a whole.
It is crucial that during this period, we demonstrate unity, respect, and a commitment to positive discourse. This is what the country expects and I therefore kindly request that you, as a candidate, pledge to conduct yourself and your campaign in a manner that reflects these ideals.
By focusing on policies, future directions, and the benefit of our constituents, we can create a constructive and inspiring campaign that will form the blueprint of our journey back to being a competent and credible political force.
I encourage you to sign a positive pledge to:
- Focus on the Future: Commit to discussing and debating ideas that enhance the future of the Conservative Party and our country, steering clear of personal attacks and negative campaigning. Focus on rebuilding trust with the public and demonstrating that we are a competent government in waiting.
- Reject ‘Blue on Blue’ Attacks: Promise not to engage in attacks against fellow Conservative Party members, be they leadership contenders or other politicians, fostering a spirit of unity and maturity.
- Reject the Reform party: Publicly pledge to reject the simplistic and shallow politics of Reform UK and commit to building a Conservative Party rooted in core conservative values. Additionally, pledge not to form any electoral pact with Reform.
In my recent article in the Sunday Times, I highlighted the importance of rebuilding trust with the public. Fundamentally, the reason we were rejected at the ballot box was not related to our values but because we are not seen as being a competent outfit for government.
As a party, we have lost our sharpness and our edge. We have lost our reputation as the party that gets things done. And, in all honesty, we have lost the trust of the people who matter – the Great British public. Nobody has the right to power, and after 14 years we need to reflect on this.
This leadership contest is an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to these principles and prove that we are capable of effectively delivering for the country.
A campaign that descends into chaos or infighting risks not only our internal unity but also our public image, extending our time in opposition. By contrast, a dignified, positive leadership contest will rebuild our credibility and appeal to the broader electorate, showing them that we are prepared to lead with integrity and foresight.
What I have seen from the three elections I have fought and won in Teesside is that most voters are not wedded to a political colour, and they are certainly not versed in the historic ideological debates of the Conservative Party. They are hardworking pragmatists, who simply ask that their leaders are competent, attached to reality, and are able to deliver tangible things that improve their day to day lives.
This both provides a challenge to get our party into shape to perform in this way, but also an opportunity in that the votes we lost can absolutely be regained.
I look forward to hearing your commitment to these pledges and seeing a positive campaign that helps us to rebuild the Conservative Party based on our shared conservative values.
Thank you for considering this request. Together, let’s ensure that this leadership contest serves as a testament to our party’s enduring principles and commitment to our country’s future.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Houchen
Ben Houchen is the Mayor of the Tees Valley.
Dear Candidate,
As we embark on the journey of selecting our new leader for the Conservative Party, I am writing to share my thoughts on how we can ensure this leadership contest starts the firing gun on our return to competent government based on our foundational conservative values, rather than leading us to an extended stay in the political wilderness, fuelled by ideology.
Recently, there have been worrying instances that suggest the potential for our leadership contest to evolve into a fractious, personal, and divisive event. This would reflect poorly on the individuals involved, but also on the Conservative Party as a whole.
It is crucial that during this period, we demonstrate unity, respect, and a commitment to positive discourse. This is what the country expects and I therefore kindly request that you, as a candidate, pledge to conduct yourself and your campaign in a manner that reflects these ideals.
By focusing on policies, future directions, and the benefit of our constituents, we can create a constructive and inspiring campaign that will form the blueprint of our journey back to being a competent and credible political force.
I encourage you to sign a positive pledge to:
In my recent article in the Sunday Times, I highlighted the importance of rebuilding trust with the public. Fundamentally, the reason we were rejected at the ballot box was not related to our values but because we are not seen as being a competent outfit for government.
As a party, we have lost our sharpness and our edge. We have lost our reputation as the party that gets things done. And, in all honesty, we have lost the trust of the people who matter – the Great British public. Nobody has the right to power, and after 14 years we need to reflect on this.
This leadership contest is an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to these principles and prove that we are capable of effectively delivering for the country.
A campaign that descends into chaos or infighting risks not only our internal unity but also our public image, extending our time in opposition. By contrast, a dignified, positive leadership contest will rebuild our credibility and appeal to the broader electorate, showing them that we are prepared to lead with integrity and foresight.
What I have seen from the three elections I have fought and won in Teesside is that most voters are not wedded to a political colour, and they are certainly not versed in the historic ideological debates of the Conservative Party. They are hardworking pragmatists, who simply ask that their leaders are competent, attached to reality, and are able to deliver tangible things that improve their day to day lives.
This both provides a challenge to get our party into shape to perform in this way, but also an opportunity in that the votes we lost can absolutely be regained.
I look forward to hearing your commitment to these pledges and seeing a positive campaign that helps us to rebuild the Conservative Party based on our shared conservative values.
Thank you for considering this request. Together, let’s ensure that this leadership contest serves as a testament to our party’s enduring principles and commitment to our country’s future.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Houchen