It s now on you : Defeated Jessie Joe Jacobs calls on Ben Houchen to help solve mental health crisis
She gave an impassioned speech after a heavy defeat, saying most of the people who would have benefited from a Labour mayor didn’t even vote
08:00, 8 MAY 2021
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Labour s Jessie Joe Jacobs has urged leaders to invest in mental health services after losing what she called a “David versus Goliath” battle.
BBC News
Published
Conservative Ben Houchen has been re-elected as Tees Valley Mayor in a landslide victory.
He beat Labour s Jessie Joe Jacobs, the only other candidate.
Mr Houchen said he was overwhelmed and humbled and would fight the region s corner after winning 73% of the vote.
The mayor leads the Tees Valley Combined Authority which covers the five boroughs of Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, and Stockton.
Mr Houchen said he wanted to bring attractive jobs and investment to the area.
He said: We ve made a fantastic start and I am confident the things we have put in place will bring benefits for everyone across our region, but there is still a long way to go.
In his victory speech, Mr Houchen said there was still a long way to go. He said: We have not seen the peak of what we can achieve. I m very proud to continue with what we have started. There s still a long way to go. I m not going to stand here and pat myself on the back. We need to get back to work. We have made a fanastic start. Speaking to the Echo after his victory, he said the Government would have to show sustained interest in the region if the Conservatives are to repeat their electoral success. He said: If the Conservative Government wants to win the next general election they are not going to be able to take Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool for granted.
Victorious Ben Houchen overwhelmed at thumping win but is eager to get back to work
The mayor won a second term with almost three quarters of the vote but vowed to not rest on his laurels
18:46, 7 MAY 2021
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Darlington town centre is set to see an increase in activities aimed at children A LOCAL authority which undertook a pioneering inquiry into the impact of Covid-19 on children and young people has approved a series of measures to alleviate the pandemic’s consequences and increase opportunities and activities for youngsters. Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet said it would press on with actions ranging from laying on extra support for children struggling with mental health issues to running a regular mobile skate park in the town centre. A meeting of the Conservative-run authority’s leading members heard numerous experts and 45 pupils from 22 primary and secondary schools had given evidence about food poverty, mental health, education, activities for young people to the inquiry led by Labour councillor Cyndi Hughes.