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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen warns against protracted Tory leadership race

Ben Houchen in dark suit stands in front of crowd holding vote Conservative placards
‘If we navel-gaze for too long that’s going to turn off the public even more,’ said Ben Houchen, who is now the most senior Conservative in office. Photograph: Molly Darlington/Reuters

The Conservatives should not have a protracted leadership debate as it would be a “waste of time” and could risk appearing self-indulgent, the Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen has said.

His comments came as former Conservative parliamentary candidates rounded on the former prime minister Liz Truss, who has attacked the leadership of Rishi Sunak in the failed general election campaign by saying he had trashed her legacy in office.

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