Conservative Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has categorically ruled out defecting to Reform after saying he had been approached by Nigel Farage to join the party.
Rumours had been circulating about the prospect of him switching sides after MP Robert Jenrick’s defection from the Conservative Party last month.
Houchen said “lots of people” think he should join Reform, but “loyalty and trust are the most important characteristics” to him and the change would be like swapping his allegiance from Middlesbrough FC to Newcastle United.
Reform UK responded to point out Farage had previously denied “reaching out” to Houchen. The party has not confirmed whether or not the pair had lunch.
