The right Tory candidates could use the role to shape an alternative vision to Labour, show that Tories can be competent and deliver, that we can change some of the things that voters think aren’t working. Some mayors have, in parts of their remit, more leeway than a government minister.
With Reform and Labour views on nationalisation of steel, which is popular with the public, the danger for the Conservatives, is that they end up squeezed out of the conversation entirely or worse exposed to scrutiny of their own record on steel.
Only Turkey has a more centralised system of government than England among OECD countries. There is now cross-party consensus to address this democratic deficiency.
Unlike with the Government’s plan, which will take years to execute due to remediation, planning, and grid requirements, we can get spades in the ground within weeks.
She notes that young voters are often turned off by the way Conservatives are unfairly labelled as far-right, but that she wants work to change that image.
Many commentators would make the obvious leap that we must move to the right and find an insurgent populist figure to take command of our party. But that is not what the US election tells us.
The MP for Ashfield talks to Ben Houchen about his journey into the Tory Party – and out of it again.
The editor of the Spectator sits down with Ben Houchen in the latest episode of our podcast.
The former Mayor of the West Midlands was talking to the current Mayor of Tees Valley live in ConservativeHome’s Party Conference marquee.
“I never really saw the logic of going into an election 21 points behind in the polls.”
The former leader of the Scottish Conservatives talks to Ben Houchen about how she revived the fortunes of the Scottish Conservatives.
He is considered, interesting and has put himself side by side with the candidates perceived to be more to the right of the party.
The former Security Minister and current leadership contender is the guest on the latest episode of the Blueprint podcast, brought to you by ConservativeHome.
He also touches on his personal background growing up in London, and the values instilled in him by his family, which have shaped his conservative outlook.
In the commercial world, scarcity is seen as the mother of innovation, and the same opportunity exists with mayors. They need to be policy innovation leaders, trialling new ideas that can be scaled across the country.