[Tubby Isaacs]

Ha ha ha ha. Who says only the left does identity politics?

[Tubby Isaacs]

More of that Houchen stardust.

[Tubby Isaacs]

And more. Incredibly, Juliet Samuel was talking too much rubbish for The Times.

I almost want to hear Seb Payne's response.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Now then. With the caveat that it's a new pollster (albeit a British Polling Council member)

[Tubby Isaacs]

Apparently this is a garbage poll. Oh well.

[Youngian]

But no relation to the former Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robinson

[davidjay]

But no relation to the former Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robinson

Probably not former Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson either.

/smart arse mode

[satnav]

In the run up to the mayoral elections it is nice to see that #BinBen is trending on twitter.

[Tubby Isaacs]

It would be nice.

As I put on the local elections thread, he took a bit of a hit recently.

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/tees ... 0-29048014

Just over a week before the region elects its mayor, the chairman of Middlesbrough Football Club and former vice chair of the South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) board said the decision to hand over 90 per cent ownership of the former Redcar steelworks site to private partners was "stupid" and "unforgivable". He accused Lord Houchen of being "dangerous" for the economic wellbeing of the Tees Valley, adding: "He's given away hundreds of millions of pounds without any explanation."

And by all accounts he lied about what the report said at the hustings. Surprised he showed up for it, he's not the best at thinking on his feet.

[mattomac]

Sadly I expect he will hold on.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Large swing, but not that close, sadly.

Tory Ben Houchen on course for re-election as Tees Valley mayor after winning first 3 of 5 council areas to count

[kreuzberger]

"In post" will mean "on radar" for Houchen. He'll not be able to recede in to the shadows with his freshly-minted mates which, on reflection, he might have preferred.

[Tubby Isaacs]

I looked at what the Mayor of Teesside does. I didn't see any mention of health or hospitals.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Some suggestion BTL this is genius negotiating by Ben Houchen. I'd say that he just says any old shit for short term gain. Why would having Ben take credit make Labour more likely to build the new hospital?