Is Ben Houchen’s win in Tees Valley a lifeline for Rishi Sunak?

One piece of good news, grasped by the Conservatives today came when Ben Houchen triumphed over a Labour surge to remain as mayor of Tees Valley, which includes Middlesbrough, Darlington and Redcar.

He was keen to fight his campaign on his own record, rather than that of the Conservatives in government.

So what message did voters there want to send to Rishi Sunak?