Business News
Next year the West Midlands will elect a mayor for the first time. The successful candidate will take the reins of newly-devolved powers and develop an ambassadorial role for the region. The winner will chair the new West Midlands Combined Authority. Chamberlink asked each of the declared parties to set out their policies and what they hope to bring to this new
and important role. The four candidates are James Burn (Green), Beverley Neilsen (Lib Dem), Sion Simon (Labour) and Andy Street (Conservative). Throughout the campaign, the GBCC will be working with the Black Country and Coventry and Warwickshire Chambers of Commerce to speak up for business and keep members plugged in to the debate.
SIÔN SIMON (LABOUR)
For almost all my working life, I have been a small business person. Like one of the 387,000 small businesses across the West Midlands, I know the pressures that come with being self-employed, at the sharp end of the private sector. My experience in the public sector has been as
an elected representative - including as Minister for the Creative Industries. In May, there will be an unprecedented transfer
of powers from Whitehall to the great English regions. This offers an historic opportunity for rebalancing not just our politics, but our economy away from London and the South East. But to get the most from this new devolution deal
and from our country’s exit from the European Union, we have to be first out of the traps. Together, there are so many ways that we can do this – but we need bold and achievable goals. That is why I am pressing the government to open talks about freeing up
the M6 Toll Road, costing our businesses around £2billion per year in congestion and delays. I am the only candidate committed to doing this. I am also unequivocal about the need for a second runway at Birmingham International Airport, so that we have a West Midlands regional airport connecting our region to the world. These are just examples of my approach: pro-business and getting things
done. That’s what the new post of West Midlands mayor is all about. And that’s why I’m standing.
ANDY STREET (CONSERVATIVE)
On 4 May 2017, for the first time, the people of the West Midlands will vote for an elected mayor. This couldn’t be happening at a more important time. As a proud Brummie, I have recently seen the beginning of the renaissance of the West Midlands. It’s clear in the figures for private sector job
creation, business start-ups and inward investment. But this economic success needs to go much
further into our communities and touch the daily lives of many more of our people. The new role of mayor offers a once-in-a-
generation opportunity to accelerate this transformation and truly realise our potential. This, is why I have given up a career in business and
a job I loved at John Lewis to campaign full-time for this role. Our mayor needs to be a strong voice for the West Midlands,
accomplished at being an ambassador around the world, whilst at the same time addressing issues that matter locally: jobs, housing, transport and skills. I believe I have the necessary experience and skills to continue our upward trend, and making sure everybody feels the benefits. The region faces a stark choice: do we embrace this renaissance by
growing the economy in a way which benefits everybody and thus become Britain’s Powerhouse? Or, do we look backwards? There is only one answer. If I get the honour and privilege of being
chosen by the people of the West Midlands to be mayor, I will work tirelessly to accelerate the growth for the benefit of everyone.
December 2016/January 2017 CHAMBERLINK 17
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