We need a Mayor who can open doors

DEAR Editor, Neil Elkes (Agenda, August 25) underscores what a positive discussion is now possible about strategic economic leadership at a regional level, as we move towards the Mayoral elections in 2017. It would have been difficult to imagine such opportunities even five or ten years ago.

But success will partly depend on cooperation between the Mayor’s office and Central Government, especially with the fallout from Brexit. Opportunities could be missed if the relationship is too distant or awkward.

It is fairly difficult to envisage Labour candidate Sion Simon building a sufficiently strong partnership with government ministers and departments. He has undeniable experience and commitment, but his approach might not hit the right note.

Public and private investment are too important to jeopardise. We need the right person to deal not only with Westminster, but also with foreign authorities, and multinational companies.

To that end many doors would probably be open to possible Conservative candidate Andy Street.

Mr Street seems to have the current and potential contacts to start making a difference fairly quickly.

He should be able to work effectively across the board, even with the Prime Minister and her advisers, who seem genuinely committed to our regional development. We can be fairly sure that Mr Simon would not enjoy the same degree of access !

The choice of Mayor is important and happily distinct from a General Election. We can afford to decide primarily on the basis of the individual and his or her policies and qualities, rather than traditional party divisions.

John Gemmell, Great Barr, Birmingham