Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen returned to office with a reduced majority amidst a string of losses for Conservatives across the country as Labour gained back ground in the North East.

Labour’s hopes to reclaim the Tees Valley were dashed today (May 3) as Lord Houchen defeated Chris McEwan with a majority of 18,789 to secure his third term in office – seven years after he first came to power.

Elsewhere in the North East, Labour made strides as Kim McGuinness became the first ever North East Mayor in a result praised by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer as “phenomenal”.

The party also won the first-ever York and North Yorkshire Mayor in a major blow to Rishi Sunak – whose own constituency, Richmond, will be in the jurisdiction of Labour mayor David Skaith.

Nationally, the Tories suffered significant losses at a council level – with over 200 having so far lost their seats in a wave branded as “disappointing” by senior ministers.

Of the 107 councils that held elections on Thursday, May 2, 56 have declared their full results, with the Conservatives losing half of the seats it has been defending so far.

However, it’s not over yet. Further results are expected over the weekend, including key mayoral contests in London and the West Midlands.

The Northern Echo: Ben Houchen with Rishi Sunak at Teesside Airport.Ben Houchen with Rishi Sunak at Teesside Airport. (Image: PA)

Labour’s Sadiq Khan is attempting to secure re-election in London, while Conservative Andy Street is defending his position in the West Midlands.

But, whilst the Prime Minister acknowledged the losses, he was keen to stress his party’s victory in Tees Valley as a sign that Labour was not on course to win the general election.

Appearing alongside Lord Houchen at a victory rally at Teesside Airport, Mr Sunak said: “I’ve got a message for the Labour Party too because they know that they have to win here to win a general election – they know that.

“They assumed Tees Valley would stroll back to them – but it didn’t.”

Yet, for Keir Starmer, the results in the region are “phenomenal” as he believes votes signal the country is “ready for change” after 14 years of Tory rule.

The Labour leader said: “This is a phenomenal result in the North East. Winning here shows that people have had enough of Conservative chaos and are ready for change.

“We have run a positive campaign here, focused on delivering for the region after years of the Tories taking the public for granted. Mayor Kim McGuinness will work tirelessly to deliver better transport, good quality homes, safer streets, and better opportunities for all.

“To everyone in the North East who put their trust in the Labour Party at this election, we will not let you down. It is time for change, and we will work hard to deliver it.”

A loss in the Tees Valley for Lord Houchen would have been likely to trigger efforts to begin a vote of no confidence in Rishi Sunak in light of other losses.

The Northern Echo: Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer (centre) and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, celebrate with David Skaith at Northallerton Town Football Club, North Yorkshire, after he won the York and North Yorkshire mayoral election.Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer (centre) and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, celebrate with David Skaith at Northallerton Town Football Club, North Yorkshire, after he won the York and North Yorkshire mayoral election. (Image: PA MEDIA)

Heading into polling day in the Tees Valley, the Labour and Tory opponents were neck and neck as Labour sources suggested Mr McEwan would concede to Houchen, yet no such move was declared.

In a speech at the count in Stockton after his victory, Lord Houchen said he was “absolutely humbled” at his re-election despite a reduced majority with 54 per cent of the vote – down from 73 per cent in 2021.

Houchen’s victory means he is now the last Tory standing in the region but this is still a welcome boost for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who acknowledged the “disappointing” results up and down the country as over 200 Conservative councillors lost their seats.

Elsewhere in the North East, Labour made strides as their candidate Kim McGuinness became the first ever North East Mayor in a result praised by Sir Keir Starmer as “phenomenal”.

The Northern Echo: Newly elected North East Mayor Kim McGuinness.Newly elected North East Mayor Kim McGuinness. (Image: North News)

Ms McGuinness, who formerly served as Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, was top of the polls with Independent candidate Jamie Driscoll but ended up with a majority of almost 60,000 votes.

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In her victory, she stated the election is a “really big moment for the North East as we take the first step to taking control of our future.”

David Skaith, the first-ever Mayor in North Yorkshire gathered nearly 67,000 votes – beating Conservative candidate Kean Charles Duncan with just under 52,000 votes.

Another Labour gain was Hartlepool council – which was lost by the party in 2019. The party also had a good night in Sunderland and Newcastle – with results for North Tyneside yet to be revealed.