As the party of business, we Conservatives must press those energy retailers to do the right thing, but if that approach fails, we must be willing to step in again to help firms keep the lights on.
“But if I look at the councils where we did really well, we were demonstrably bringing derelict land back to life.”
Our principal opposition is the Green Party. But we believe in the need for effective action, not gestures, to provide a better environment.
In last week’s local elections, several results went against the national trend. Unpacking why shows how the Tory vote has changed since 2010.
As the place where the first cracks appeared in the Red Wall, our region is of huge political significance, and results here matter.
There has been over 15,000 complaints of damp in just the last five years, with numerous stories of people’s health, including young children’s, being badly affected.
I want to pay tribute to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up who, backed by the Chancellor and Prime Minister, pushed through this deal, which rewrites so many of the long-standing and outdated rules between Whitehall and the regions.
It represents just a tenth of that price tag of Crossrail, yet will improve the economic prospects of huge swathes of the UK.
The West Midlands must compete with Barcelona, Boston, and Beijing – not with London and Manchester.
Empowering left-wing leaders is the price that one has to pay for the local experimentation that devolving power and funds entails.
It would enhance democracy and local accountability, be better value for money for the taxpayer, and be more effective in reducing crime.
The real returns we are seeing on Birmingham 2022 show what can be achieved by devolved decision making and local leadership.
“But I understand what the Government is attempting to do, and I agree with the whole principle that we have to get growth going,” he says.
I was able to welcome Truss to the Commonwealth Games . What better place to see her commitment to the regions, as it was her who signed the letter confirming Government funding for Birmingham to host.
Successive Conservative governments have delivered more powers and funding to raise up communities across the country. So too must the next.