Levelling up must be fast-tracked to avoid Tory defeat, say Red Wall MPS

Backbenchers urge Sunak to push through extra cash and power to regions after local election losses

RED WALL MPS have warned Rishi Sunak the Tories face losing the next election unless he bulldozes through his levelling up plans this summer.

A group of senior Conservatives have written to the Prime Minister urging him to fast-track handing out extra cash and power to England’s regions.

The plea from 10 influential backbenchers comes after the party suffered a dire result in last week’s local elections, losing more than 1,000 council seats.

In a letter to Mr Sunak, the MPS, who represent constituencies across the East Midlands, say doubling down on levelling up is key to the Tories’ electoral fortunes.

The Government has tabled legislation that would reinvigorate high streets by ending the blight of empty shops and allowing more alfresco dining.

The Levelling Up Bill will also introduce a developer levy to pay for more schools, GP surgeries and roads and give residents a greater say on housing.

Meanwhile, authorities will be able to clamp down on property speculators by charging double council tax on homes that are vacant for more than a year.

The Bill is currently tied up in the Lords, with Peers having submitted 600 amendments that will have to be debated by the Commons.

Red Wall MPS fear that, with parliamentary time squeezed before the next election, the legislation could end up being kicked into the long grass.

The letter to Mr Sunak has been organised by Ben Bradley, MP for Mansfield and leader of Nottinghamshire county council.

In the missive, seen by The Daily Telegraph, the backbenchers tell Mr Sunak that ensuring the Bill goes ahead is a “vital priority”.

They write: “If the Government fails to pass this law, our opportunity to seize this chance and deliver tangible, realworld benefits to our constituents ahead of the next general election will be lost.

“We need access to opportunities now so that our constituents and businesses can make the best use of their talents to steer the country through the cost of living crisis, so that we can demonstrate clearly on the doorstep what Conservative policies mean in the real world for jobs, families and local investment.

“We urge you… to fast-track the Levelling Up Bill as this is an issue of critical, national importance. This must happen urgently before the summer.”

Parliament rises for its summer recess in 11 weeks’ time, on July 20.

A source close to Michael Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, said he was “keen to crack on with the Bill asap”.

Ministers are focused on speedily getting legislation through the Commons, including the Illegal Migration Bill to stop small boat crossings.