Labour campaign defends missed debates by Simon
SUPPORTERS of West Midlands mayor candidate Siôn Simon have defended his decision to stay away from a series of debates with other candidates.
Mr Simon, the Labour candidate, stayed away from a debate in Solihull on January 25 organised by Insider Media, which provides services to businesses. It was attended by all of the other candidates.
He also stayed away from a debate organised by Wolverhampton Business Forum in Wolverhampton on January 26, although other candidates took part. Mr Simon will also not attend a debate this week set up by organisations involved in building, including successful city-wide strategy for mental health – it’s exactly what the West Midlands Mayoralty should also aspire to,” he added. More than four million working days a year are lost in the region as a result of poor mental health, the Institute of Civil Engineers.
And he is even staying away from a meeting organised by West Midlands MPs, who asked mayoral candidates to speak to them at Westmister. A source in Mr Simon’s campaign said: “Siôn’s engagement with people across the West Midlands is unmatched by any other candidate. “He’s taken part in numerous panel discussions with the other candidates and is excited about a series of high-profile election debates during the campaign that reach not just a small group of people in a board room but reach into people’s living rooms.” with 70,000 people off or out of work as a result, it has emerged.
The new action plan from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), the grouping of 14 local councils, will be led by Supt Sean Russell, of West Midlands Police.
His job is to ensure local health services, councils and other organi-