MP to ‘see the error of her ways’ with trip to Birmingham
SHE HAD REFERRED TO THE CITY AS ‘GODAWFUL’
SOUTH Derbyshire MP Heather Wheeler is to visit Birmingham after sparking controversy by referring to the city as “godawful’”
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said Mrs Wheeler had accepted his invitation, promising she was enthusiastic to visit to learn “the error of her ways”.
“She is coming and I look forward to hosting her. I have in mind taking her on the number 11 bus (the circular route takes in Kings Heath, Cotteridge, Harborne, Perry Barr, Erdington and Acocks Green) but am happy to hear other suggestions!”
He said: “In her text to me she said she was really looking forward to coming to brilliant Birmingham.” He added: “I am looking forward to showing her around.”
Mrs Wheeler seemed to go offscript during a launch event for the Government’s new digital strategy earlier this month, saying: “I was just at a conference in Blackpool or
Birmingham or somewhere godawful.”
Mrs Wheeler, who is a parliamentary secretary at the Cabinet Office, apologised after her gaffe was reported. She said she made an “inappropriate remark that does not reflect my actual view”.
Her comment triggered a Brummie outpouring, with images of city scenes posted on social media with a #godawful hashtag.
MP Jess Phillips tweeted a picture of a beautiful park scene from the city with the comment: “Good morning from God Awful Birmingham”, adding “the best thing about Birmingham is the fact we respond to this stuff with a shrug and a joke.” Photographers, residents and visitors also posted their own sunny images highlighting the best bits of Brum.