Labour peer ‘backs’ Tory hopeful Street Surprise support from major figure in Midlands industry

ALABOUR peer has seemingly given his endorsement to the Tory candidate bidding to become West Midlands mayor.

Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya hosted a private reception at the University of Warwick’s Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) for Conservative candidate Andy Street, government business minister Greg Clark and Jaguar Land Rover chief executive Ralf Speth.

The group discussed the Government’s industrial strategy, JLR’s expansion plans and the forthcoming West Midlands mayoral elections ahead of a public Q&A with Mr Street in the WMG building. But asked who he was backing in the forthcoming mayoral election, WMG chairman Lord Bhattacharyya, said: “Well, you know, Andy is here.

“We have invited the others well. The university is neutral.

“But the fact is Andy is here and the secretary of state is here and my output is here.

“I think you will have to speculate for yourself.”

Lord Bhattacharyya, an occasional Post columnist, is a crucial figure in the West Midlands’ industrial sector because of the links he has created between academia and the automotive sector, including close ties with Jaguar Land Rover’s owners Tata.

He is seen as a key figure in the bid for the UK and West Midlands to win as