The mayor serves as the directly elected leader of the Tees Valley Combined Authority and has powers considered lesser than those of other mayors such as Greater Manchester and the West of England. The mayor has power over an annual £15 million investment from the national government over a 30-year period, as well as control over adult skills training, social care and a consolidated transport budget- giving the ability to acquire bus services.[3] The mayor does not supersede or overrule the five boroughs within the Tees Valley city-region.[4][5]
The first election for the role in 2017 resulting in a victory for the Conservative candidate Ben Houchen, who was re-elected with an increased majority in the 2021 election. That election had originally been due to be held in 2020, but had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
^This poll was unweighted, and included 16–17 year olds.[8]
Candidates
Conservative
Ben Houchen, who had served as mayor since the inaugural election in 2017, was re-selected as the Conservative candidate in March 2023.[9] Houchen said that if re-elected he would replace the University Hospital of North Tees with a new hospital,[10] however the government later confirmed that the mayor does not have the powers to build a hospital.[11]
Labour
Chris McEwan who previously worked for the NHS[12] is the deputy leader of Darlington Borough Council. He was announced as Labour's candidate in November 2023. McEwan was selected by members over the trade union organiser Luke Henman.[13]
McEwan who was raised in Middlesbrough said that his priorities would be transport and community,[14] and also said he would bring more openness and transparency to the Tees Valley Combined Authority.[12]
Liberal Democrats
Simon Thorley, a businessman from Darlington, general election candidate for Darlington, was selected to also stand for the Lib Dems for Tees Valley mayor.[15][16]
Green Party
Sally Bunce was selected to stand as the Green Party candidate but withdrew at close of nominations for personal reasons, with insufficient time to nominate a different candidate. The local Green Parties have not endorsed any other candidates, despite unsubstantiated allegations made by local Conservative MP Simon Clarke of an electoral pact with Labour.[17][18][19][20][21]
_(Ben_Houchen).jpg)
