Last week’s Autumn Statement signalled a significant shift in power in the UK. For the West Midlands, it delivered not only announcements that will help supercharge our economy, but a fundamental change in how this region will be run.
The Prime Minister will want to avoid the trap that Gordon Brown created for himself in the autumn of 2007.
The Prime Minister’s proposals for Euston provide the key: a new partnership with business to draw up a new, viable plan for a 21st-century railway between Birmingham and Manchester.
The effect of the train strikes on attendance, the trauma of recent years, and the change in the nature of the Tory Conference itself leave the question hanging.
Part of Birmingham’s role is to be the city at the centre the West Midlands, as our mission to renew our region continues. It saddens me that this self-inflicted wound could make that more difficult.
Andy Street has pursued a brownfield-first policy, with the only exception being around the new High Speed 2 Solihull Rail Station.
Better skills not only improve the earning power of families, they also drive aspiration, social mobility, and ambition, while rewarding those who work hard – all fundamental Conservative values.
Recently, we reformed the West Midlands Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board, which speaks on behalf of the sector.
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.
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.
From Sandwell to Solihull, Bromsgrove to Wolverhampton, Dudley to Tamworth, we have been out to help the amazing local teams who have been working so tirelessly to hold and gain Council seats.
In Greater London, Greater Manchester, and the West Midlands, we see the politicking, wokery, and limpness of Labour that would continue nationally were it given the keys to Number 10.
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backed by the Chancellor and Prime Minister, pushed through this deal, which rewrites so many of the long-standing and outdated rules between Whitehall and the regions.
There’s undoubtedly a lot to do before 2030 and beyond. But our target drives the investment and innovation needed to deliver the electric vehicle transformation, lower people’s bills, create jobs, and tackle climate change.