FEATURE
“ A place like Teesside has been neglected for too long , so nothing ’ s going to change by just tinkering at the edges . Why shouldn ’ t we try something big and transformational ?”
All big catches by anyone ’ s estimation , and it was no surprise when Mr Houchen was re-elected in May for a second term , although the size of his majority – a 72.8 per cent share of the vote – made waves nationally .
And yet he insists the landslide victory didn ’ t result in personal feelings of euphoria . “ People expected me to be on top of the world , but I was actually a bit deflated afterwards because of the enormity of the expectation and pressure that comes with it ,” he explains .
“ It humbled me that people gave me the benefit of the doubt , but they want to see tangible results . The first four years were spent putting the foundations in place , but we have to build on that and , if anything , my focus is even greater because I don ’ t want to let down all those who put their trust in me .”
In his re-election victory speech , Mr Houchen declared : “ We have not seen the peak of what we can achieve .” So how far towards the peak does he think Teesside has climbed ?
“ I suppose we ’ re at base camp , but no one else is anywhere near that ,” he replies . “ If you ’ re climbing Everest , things can go horribly wrong , or you might reach halfway and have to come back down . But you might get to the top – and I really think we can . We ’ re shooting so high that we ’ ll always make progress .”
Predictably , there has been increased speculation since May about whether Tees Valley ’ s mayor might be tempted onto the national stage , but he insists his focus remains firmly on his home patch .
“ A lot of people have asked me that since the election , but the truth is that I have more power and influence than any backbench MP ,” he says . “ I never went into politics just to be a
26 | Tees Business