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backed by the Chancellor and Prime Minister, pushed through this deal, which rewrites so many of the long-standing and outdated rules between Whitehall and the regions.
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.
It would enhance democracy and local accountability, be better value for money for the taxpayer, and be more effective in reducing crime.
We already have a track record of getting real results – imagine what we could do if the shackles were off.
“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.