Midlands mayor sets out wish list for Johnson
Street hands 10 demands to prime minister after victory
WEST Midlands Mayor Andy Street has set out his ten requests from Boris Johnson’s new government – including more devolved powers for the region.
They include funding to expand the Midlands Metro, re-opening new rail stations and putting up housing benefits in order to cut homelesness.
He said: “The Prime Minister was right to say many voters have only ‘lent’ us their votes. We must now earn that trust, by ensuring the benefits of life in a post-Brexit Britain reach all communities.”
Mr Street this week visited Downing Street for talks with the Prime Minister.
It comes after Conservatives made a series of gains in the West Midlands in last week’s general election, taking seats from Labour including two in Wolverhampton, two in West Bromwich, one in Dudley North and one in Northfield, Birmingham.
Success in the Midlands and the North gave Mr Johnson a comfortable majority of 80 seats in the House of Commons, ensuring that he will be able to take the UK out of the EU by the end of January as promised.
But Mr Street, the Conservative mayor, said it was essential that the Government now delivers for the West Midlands.
Writing for website Conservative Home, he set out 10 demands for Mr Johnson’s Government.
They include:
Confirming that the HS2 high speed rail line, which has been subject to a review, will go ahead – ane beginning building work;
Funding to expand the Midland Metro;
Re-opening old railway stations which were previously closed, including in Coventry and Wolverhampton;
Backing a major electric car battery, known as a gigafactory, in the West Midlands;
Increasing the number of new homes built, using brownfield land (ie land that has previously been used for construction of some kind);
Increasing the local housing allowance, an element of Universal Credit designed to help with housing costs, to ensure people in private rented accommodation can afford their rent and reduce homelessness;
Review business rates, a property tax paid by employers, to help high streets;
Devolve further powers to regions such as the West Midlands;
Keeping promises to recruit more police and nurses, and to build more hospitals;
Holding a public inquiry into the Birmingham pub bombings.
Mr Street said: “People are hungry for change in their local communities. With our new mandate, we Conservatives can provide that change with energy, investment and practical ideas.
“It is time to not only deliver on election promises, but to show those that placed their faith in us for the first time at the polling stations that we will govern for them, to repay their trust.”
People are hungry for change in their local communities
Mayor Andy Street