Boris Johnson is the top choice for leader among North East Conservatives; Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has backed plans for a 'freeport' to boost Teesside.
Byline: Jonathan Walker
Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson is the favourite candidate to become Conservative leader and Prime Minister among leading North East Tories.
He has the backing of Middlesbrough and South East Cleveland Conservative MP Simon Clarke - who said Mr Johnson is backing plans to boost the local economy by giving Teesside "freeport status".
Northumberland Conservative Anne-Marie Trevelyan, MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, is also backing Boris.
However, fellow Northumberland MP Guy Opperman, MP for Hexham, wants Environment Secretary Michael Gove to become Conservative leader.
Teesside's Conservative mayor Ben Houchen has not yet revealed who he will support in the leadership contest, but says he will be backing someone who firmly supports Brexit.
Mr Houchen is another supporter of the "freeport" proposal. This would mean the Teesport area is legally outside of UK customs territory, so that there are no taxes or customs duties payable for bringing goods in.
The advantage would be that materials could exported into the area and used in manufacturing, with the finished product exported to other parts of the world - all without paying duties.
Why schools in the North need more funding to help struggling pupils
The usual fees would only be charged if items are transported to other parts of the UK.
So it would provide a major incentive for manufacturers, as well as importers and exporters, to invest in Teesside.
It's not just Conservatives who back the idea. Redcar MP Anna Turley, a Labour MP, supports the freeport proposal.
In a video explaining why he is supporting Mr Johnson, Mr Clarke said: "That's partly because of what he said about Brexit, how we leave the European Union.
"He's clear that we will leave on 31st of October, deal or no deal."
Mr Clarke added: "He backs a freeport.
"He talks enthusiastically about the need for more school funding and more police on the streets."
Mrs Trevelyan has argued that the Conservative Party must deliver Brexit, and that Mr Johnson is best placed to do this.
She said: "In order to deliver a real Brexit and give our voters confidence back in the Conservative Party, I believe we need a leader who reaches across political, regional and policy divides.
MP with autistic son describes pain after watching alleged abuse of patients at Whorlton Hall
"That's why I am backing Boris Johnson. In him I believe we have a future prime minister who reaches out and encourages, and has confidence in, the...
To continue reading
Request your trial