'Magnanimous' Andy Street speaks after losing West Mids election
We all want to go home, so let’s leave all of that behind. So OK. So Madam Returning Officer, you’ll be relieved to know this is going to be a short speech, 4 thank yous and one reflection. And the first thank you. Of course, let’s go to you and all your teams across the region for a well conducted election. So thank you. The second thank you, of course, must go to my fellow candidates for a very courteous campaign. And of course I should thank Richard indeed for how he’s conducted himself in the campaign and should congratulate him on his victory and most importantly, wish him. Strength and wisdom as he takes on this role. And then of course the third thanks is to my conservative team across the region. It has been my honour to lead you for the last seven years. I’m sorry we couldn’t make it that triple or hat trick, but mark my words, you will be back for that, I’m sure. And then most importantly, my thanks of course, go to everybody who voted for me on Thursday. And for the trust that they showed in me, that’s perhaps the most important word in politics of all. In the end, it was not to be. But of course that doesn’t mean I appreciate that trust any less. So thank you to the voters. And then lastly, the reflection which goes to all citizens across the West Midlands. It has of course been my honour to serve and to lead this place for the last seven years. I hope I’ve done it with dignity. And integrity. And I hope I’ve bequeathed to Richard a combined authority and indeed a role to which young aspiring leaders will want to aspire one day. In a sense, I could have done no more than that. It has been a great pleasure, great privilege. But for night, I just wanted to say thank you and goodnight.