Tories face defeat: Ben Houchen calls for change after election loss

Lord Ben Houchen, the Mayor of Teesside and the only senior Conservative still in power, has expressed that the Conservative Party's recent electoral defeat is largely self-inflicted. He believes that had the party heeded Rishi Sunak's warnings, they could have avoided this outcome. Houchen criticized the party's failure to listen to Sunak, who he now regards as a competent leader, and pointed out that the party's behavior leading up to the election was detrimental. He noted that the Labour Party did not win the election; rather, the Conservatives lost it due to their own actions. Houchen also highlighted the impact of Liz Truss's mini-budget, which he believes eroded public trust in the party. He emphasized that many traditional Conservative voters turned to other parties or abstained from voting altogether, indicating a significant disconnect between the party and its base. Looking ahead, Houchen is optimistic that the Conservatives can regain support in five years but warns against simply mimicking other parties like Reform or the Liberal Democrats. He advocates for a return to core Conservative values and acknowledges the need for a serious conversation about the party's direction and policies, particularly regarding the European Convention of Human Rights. He has not yet endorsed any leadership candidates but stresses the importance of rebuilding the party's reputation and reconnecting with voters.