The Conservative Party chairman has urged voters to turn out on Thursday after warning that the Tees Valley mayoral election was on a "knife edge".

Richard Holden, Conservative chairman and MP for North West Durham, spoke to The Northern Echo during a visit to Darlington while campaigning for incumbent Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen.

He argued that Labour should be winning the election by a "landslide" and that it would be a very tight election.

This comes after a shock poll by Redfield and Wilton Strategies from April 17 to 19 that found Labour candidate Chris McEwan and Ben Houchen tied on 47 per cent of the vote.

Mr Holden said: "This is going to be a very tight election. People forget that Ben won by 72 per cent last time but previously he won by 2,000 which was like one per cent of the vote.

"People forget that last time Ben's opponent basically didn't turn up because she had Covid and there was also the Hartlepool by-election. 

"We were 20 points ahead in the polls and there was a vaccine bounce, it was totally different."

The chairman pointed to recent high-profile visits from Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves to the Tees Valley in recent weeks as a sign of Labour's intent.

The Northern Echo: Keir Starmer

He said: "Labour are really pouring it on. The amount of literature, paid for delivery and activists on the doorsteps. I have noticed it today.

"It is quite clear that they are really going for it and I think the reason they are so much is because this is a major test for Keir. 

"I have heard Labour internally are calling this a Teesside test. Labour has to win every seat on Teesside in order to become the largest party.

"Teesside has to be banked before they can go elsewhere so that's why it is so important for them and that is why it is such a crucial election for both parties."

Last week, Middlesbrough FC chairman Steve Gibson launched a scathing attack on Lord Houchen, accusing him of "giving away our children’s future" in the Teesworks project deal.

Steve Gibson in scathing attack on Ben Houchen over Teesworks deal

The Northern Echo: Steve Gibson and Chris McEwan in the directors’ box at Middlesbrough’s match on Monday night

Mr Gibson, who was vice-chairman of the South Tees Development Corporation for five years until 2021, told The Northern Echo that the deal which increased the ownership of the former Redcar steelworks site by two private businessmen from 50 per cent to 90 per cent of the former Redcar steelworks site, is "unforgivable".

He previously said: "That extra 40 per cent equals about £500m over a 25-year period, and that £500m could go to some great social uses, so Ben Houchen has gifted away the enhancement of our children’s and our grandchildren’s future."

In response, Lord Houchen praised Mr Gibson as a "good guy" before thanking him for his time on the board - but said that he was "wrong about the facts".

The Northern Echo: Ben Houchen

He added that the deal would return £1.3bn to the local economy over the next 40 years, adding: "It’s a deal I would do every day of the week."

Electoral forecasts are suggesting that Thursday's local elections could see the Conservatives lose up to half of the council seats they are defending nationally, having lost a third of seats last year.

A wave of defeats on Thursday could push more Tory MPs into seeking to replace Mr Sunak before the general election.

Mr Holden defined success at the 2024 local elections as retaining control of the Tees Valley. He explained that if the Conservatives held the region it would be "amazing".

The chairman said: "The fact that we are running it close with a good campaign here, I have been up and the PM has been up, shows we are putting 100 per cent into it.

"It’s going to be really tight on the day. If we hold Teesside in these circumstances, it would be amazing. It would be against the entire run of play.

"If we can hold him (Mr McEwan) back from the mayoralty that would be a major blow. Especially given the personal weight on it himself.

"So many visits here. Starmer has done a lot here and I think it would be a personal blow for him as well.

"I read his book and there is a bit in it about the Hartlepool by-election defeat and how that affected him, so I think this is a very personal test. He needs to cast off that result from when he first became leader."

When asked what he was planning to do after the general election Mr Holden said that he had no idea and that he never expected to become an MP in North West Durham in the first place.

He said: "I will keep being MP for North West Durham until the election is called.

"Given we suspect there will be a good couple of months until the general election is called I will be able to crack on with that.

Be the first to know with The Northern Echo! 📱💡 Our flash sale brings the latest local happenings directly to you. Take advantage of our exclusive offer: £5 for 5 months or 40% off annual. Your community's stories await. Click here

Read more

Tees Valley poll suggests mayoral race is neck and neck

Who can you vote for in the Tees Valley mayoral election 2024?

Tees Valley Mayor debate LIVE: Candidates questioned - updates

"Beyond that who knows."

The Tees Valley, North East and North Yorkshire mayoral elections will all be held on Thursday, May 2. 

In the Tees Valley voters will be able to vote for Lord Houchen for the Conservative Party, Chris McEwan for the Labour Party and Simon Thorley for the Liberal Democrats.