Conservative Teesside Mayor Ben Houchen says he is hopeful of a fast resolution to the Tory leadership race.
Rishi Sunak has committed to presiding over the party until a new head honcho is in place and according to some reports, he could be waiting until autumn.
Houchen, who GB News reporter Olivia Utley branded the “most powerful Tory in Britain” during their interview on Downing Street, says voters will want a new leader in place sooner rather than later.
“I think it’s pretty obvious who the main players are, I don’t think there are any real surprises”, he said.
Ben Houchen says he wants a fast resolution to the Tory leadership race
GB NEWS / PA
“There is going to be five or six who everyone can expect. There may be some left field candidates that nobody expects.
“The idea we should have a long and drawn out process for five or six people who we pretty much know what they’re all about would seem to be nonsensical.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
“We need an effective opposition and we need to rebuild the party. We need to start quite quickly.
“Navel-gazing for too long will upset the public. They will think we’re spiralling into another inward-looking existential crisis.
“We need to be effective, ruthless and we need to get back to business.”
No Tories have put themselves forward for the leadership role as of yet, but many have been linked with the position.
Ben Houchen spoke to Olivia Utley
GB NEWS
Suella Braverman, James Cleverly, Kemi Badenoch and Priti Patel are among the names many expect to be front and centre of the impending leadership race.
The Tories returned just 121 MPs to Parliament after a chastening General Election.
Two-time former leadership hopeful Jeremy Hunt has ruled himself out of the job, telling GB News “the time has passed”.
Houchen was speaking to Olivia Utley after a meeting of mayors with new Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Rishi Sunak will head up the party until a replacement is found
POOLHe said the Labour leader was keen to speak to him one-on-one given the fact he is the only Tory mayor, and Starmer was keen to stress that he wants to avoid any party division.
“He was kind enough to give me some time given we haven’t met before”, he said.
“He was keen to reiterate he wanted to work with me and put the country first, party politics second.
“I reiterated the same thing. If he wants to deliver on his promises to the Great British public, he needs to work with people like me and other mayors.”