Many of you will be completing your postal votes this Easter weekend. As I sent mine off, I wanted to say this: your vote really matters for who runs our councils, and the ambition and priorities they set for our area.
We’ve seen the transformation led by Ben Houchen - Tees Valley Mayor - and we’ve also seen the challenges he’s had to overcome with our local Labour councils.
A vote for Conservative candidates in these elections is the only way to break Labour’s stranglehold over local politics.
I understand the frustration that so many of you feel about Brexit, because I feel it too. I will keep doing all I can to ensure we leave properly. But when you vote this weekend, or on 2 May, please vote for who you think will do the best job for our area.