Lord Ben Houchen hit out at the leadership, saying it needed to start putting forward concrete Tory ideas now to help see off the threat from Nigel Farage's Reform UK.
* Lord Houchen, the only Tory metro mayor, criticizes Kemi Badenoch for "not doing enough" to earn voters' respect ahead of local elections.
* He suggests the Conservative party should put forward concrete ideas to combat the threat from Nigel Farage's Reform UK.
* Badenoch defends her approach by saying the Conservatives must offer "credible plans" that are "rooted in realism".
* Tory shadow Cabinet ministers have reportedly been told they won't need firm policy positions ready until 2027.
