Opinion CHAMBER LINK


The Official Publication of Greater Birmingham Chambers of commerce


Editor’s View


By John Lamb


Proud to be a mugwump as stability comes back


Sutton Coldfield


Chamber of Commerce


I suppose personnel at the Chamber could be described as mugwumps. I’m grateful to Boris Johnson for bringing the word of North American origin into modern usage and indebted to the New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary for confirming its meaning. Among other things, it states that a mugwump is “a person who


remains neutral” and “stands aloof from party politics”. We maintained that stance during the election for a West Midlands mayor, although “aloof” is too dismissive a word to describe our attitude. However, we shall continue to give all candidates an equal showing in the upcoming General Election. And we certainly would not subscribe to Johnson’s assertion that Jeremy Corbyn was a "mutton-headed old mugwump". While we will now inevitably be forced to endure more name-calling before the PM is installed in No


Boris Johnson (left) called Jeremy Corbyn a ‘mugwump’


Front cover: Julian Beer (second left), president of the Midlands chapter of the British American Business Council, with Birmingham Chamber’s Russell Jeans, Lauren Hunt and Paul Faulkner, during the BABC transatlantic conference in Chicago. See page 8


Editor John Lamb 0121 607 1781, 0797 1144064 j.lamb@birmingham-chamber.com


Deputy Editor Dan Harrison 0121 607 1887, 0797 1144052 d.harrison@birmingham-chamber.com


You can now read the latest issue of CHAMBERLINK and view back issues online at: www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com


10, it’s good to know that stability is returning to the West Midlands. We have our first elected mayor, Andy Street, in place and he has asserted that business has “an important part to play in seizing our big economic opportunities and, through success, tackling the social issues we face” (see opposite). He has already chaired his first meetings at the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), which


has powers over transport, economic development and regeneration. The WMCA devolution deal grants powers to a WMCA Mayor, including the ability to raise a business rate supplement, subject to engagement with the business community. At the same time, a new body – tasked with attracting investment, jobs, visitors and businesses to


the West Midlands – has been established and it will work closely with the WMCA. The creation of the West Midlands Growth Company was formally agreed at a Marketing Birmingham general meeting at Birmingham’s Crowne Plaza, chaired by Birmingham Chamber president Paul Kehoe. The new name is entirely sensible in this age of devolved powers and will aim to raise the profile of


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the region in national and global markets. All of this joined up thinking will extend across LEPs, local authorities, Growth Hubs, universities and the private sector. This will enable a combination of bodies to deliver our aspirations for the region and make the most of devolution, demonstrating that a stronger West Midlands is imperative for the whole of the UK.


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CHAMBERLINK is produced on behalf of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce by Kemps Publishing Ltd and is distributed to members without charge. The Chambers and the publisher are committed to achieving the highest quality standards. While every care has been taken to ensure that the information it contains is accurate, neither the Chambers nor the publisher can accept any responsibility for any omission or inaccuracies that might arise. Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Chambers. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced, transmitted or stored in print or electronic format without prior written permission of Kemps Publishing Ltd.


4 CHAMBERLINK June 2017


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