North East mayors react to election results

Two mayors from opposing political sides have reacted to their parties' very different fortunes in the general election.

Labour won all but one seat across north-east England on Thursday, leaving the Tories with fewer MPs in the region than at any time in the party’s modern history.

North East Mayor, Labour's Kim McGuinness, said the results show "how much the people" of the region wanted change.

Conservative Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen called the election a "horror show" for his party that saw "good" MPs lose their seats because of "Westminster nonsense".

Mr Houchen said: "I’ve proven over my seven years in office, I will work cross-party with anyone who wants the best for our region."

He said people are fed up with party politics and elections and "simply want the basics delivered".

"I congratulate all local MPs on their election, but my plea is not to play cheap political games and to deliver for the people they represent."

Ms McGuinness said 14 years of a Conservative government had left the North East "feeling left behind".

"Now with a Labour government government we can do even more to create real opportunity, bring more decision making to the people of our region and make this great place even better," she said.

"I look forward to working with our MPs and the new government to deliver."

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