The Commonwealth Video games are over. After a sporting spectacle that has proven the perfect of the West Midlands to a worldwide viewers, we’ve handed on the baton to Victoria in Australia.
Now, the Conservative occasion is about to go on the baton of management, choosing a brand new Prime Minister and the one who will lead us into the subsequent Normal Election. Liz Truss is the favorite to win that race, and I’m backing her.
I need to use this column to clarify how I consider Truss will ship for the West Midlands as Prime Minister – and why she could be a winner for the Conservatives on the poll field.
Let’s be clear: the 2 are inextricably linked. The Midlands is on the coronary heart of the ‘crimson wall’. In our area, 43 out of 59 native MPs are Conservatives. That signifies that delivering higher outcomes for our residents is just not solely mission vital for me in deciding who I believe ought to be our subsequent Prime Minister, but in addition to success within the subsequent Normal Election.
Why? Sitting on the centre of the nation, the West Midlands – with its lengthy historical past of invention, its manufacturing and export prowess, and its various, progressive inhabitants – is the engine room of the nation. After we flourish economically, so does UK Plc. After we lag behind, the nation suffers.
So, when deciding which of the 2 Conservative management candidates to help, my overriding query was ‘who will ship higher outcomes for residents of the West Midlands?’ I drew 4 conclusions.
First, we’d like a Prime Minister who will create extra high-quality, well-paid jobs throughout the nation, and inject dynamism into the financial system. Truss’s proposal of a Plan for Progress, concentrating on new excessive tech sectors, can do that.
Right here, within the Midlands, the Authorities should actively again our superior manufacturing industries – similar to electrical automobile manufacturing. That is already an actual success story, however we’d like the levers the general public sector has – from enhancing infrastructure and abilities to focused tax breaks – to draw extra personal funding, together with the much-heralded battery Gigafactory in Coventry. That is how we are going to create higher-paid jobs throughout our area and super-charge the nation’s engine room.
Second, we’d like a Prime Minister totally dedicated to “Levelling Up”. For many years, individuals right here haven’t shared equally within the success of the UK. Whereas strides are positively now being made, expectations are understandably excessive that we’ll proceed to make good on our guarantees.
The brand new Conservative chief should double down on coverage commitments together with accelerating devolution to English areas. I consider Truss is dedicated to this, and can comply with by way of on the promised Trailblazer Devolution Deal to be negotiated with the West Midlands Mixed Authority. This deal will present the brand new Authorities stays critical about Levelling Up, and allow us to make use of our new money and powers to make a tangible distinction to individuals’s lives. Liberating us from Treasury crimson tape, to spend our money how we like, will present Levelling Up in motion.
Third, I consider Truss is keen to do what it takes to grab the alternatives provided by Web Zero. Beneath her management we are going to see decisive motion to scale back the UK’s dependence on fossil fuels – vital if we’re to assist these on low incomes reduce their power payments. The Authorities will double down on serving to companies to decarbonise, reducing their prices, simply as we’ve piloted within the Black Nation. And we are going to see new funding in public transport schemes – like constructing the Midlands Rail Hub, which can ease congestion, assist individuals lower your expenses, time, and cut back their carbon footprint.
Lastly, we’d like a PM whose management will probably be pushed by values, and who will uphold our nation’s stature on the worldwide stage. As she has proven when going through down Vladimir Putin, Truss is just not afraid to face up for our values. As Prime Minister I consider she is going to proceed in that vein, guarantee requirements in public life, and battle for the values which have made Britain a contemporary, inclusive society.
These are the explanations I believe Truss can ship for the UK and the West Midlands, however why do I consider she will ship on the poll field too?
Truss confirmed loyalty to the Prime Minister and laid out her stall for management after he had resigned. Consequently, she is extra ready to attract a line underneath the previous and, as a brand new chief, individuals will choose her on her deserves.
She has an optimistic imaginative and prescient that may resonate with the citizens. She has the grip essential to get our Authorities firing on all cylinders, to ship tangible outcomes that may impress voters.
Most crucially, she has the flexibility to attach with individuals. By appointing a cupboard of skills, she will unite our occasion and encourage the grassroots. By demonstrating her dedication to robust values in Authorities, and to enhancing our nation, she will attain out to resonate with the areas. That will probably be vital to success on the poll field.
The Commonwealth Video games had been a assured, energetic triumph that celebrated each unity and variety, illustrating the tangible outcomes of funding whereas selling our values to a worldwide viewers. In a approach, they had been an exemplar of what the UK may be.
Fittingly, this weekend I used to be in a position to welcome Truss to the Video games – and what higher place to think about her dedication to the areas, because it was her who signed the letter confirming Authorities funding for Birmingham to host!
She recognises the potential of the areas. I consider she is now dedicated to constructing on what we’ve already achieved right here, delivering for the West Midlands, the Conservative occasion and the nation.
