POLITICS INSIDE WESTMINSTER
Ahead of a new year of Inside Westminster, Business Network takes a snapshot looks back at the contributions made by MPs to last year’s feature.
MARCH DAVID TREDINNICK - MP FOR BOSWICK, LEICESTERSHIRE
Topic: The state of the health industry
“We live, work and exist in a global economy where free trade should be our goal, not protectionism which ultimately restricts opportunities for business and harms consumers. The demand for complementary health has always been patient, or consumer-led, and decision makers have always lagged behind this demand in service provision. Health commissioners still lack innovative thinking, sticking to a safe list of treatments and interventions which often don’t help patients and which many patients don’t want.”
producing a quality product, or having a strong relationship with your customer. “With current rounds of business support
funding coming to a close in the coming years, what do our members want to see happen next in this space?”
In addition to the above areas, the Chamber is
also looking to get member thoughts on a bigger vision for the region. The Chamber has identified three big regional opportunities that it believes could be transformational for the region if meaningfully taken forward, with the opportunity to draw links between all three: HS2 and development of the station hub at Toton; the opportunity to establish a free-trade zone in the East Midlands; and creating a regional manufacturing zone in the East Midlands, building on a proposal made in the 2017 Budget. Chris said “Taken individually or together, HS2,
a free-trade zone and a manufacturing zone, could be game changers for the East Midlands. All three build on our core strengths of making things and moving things, and with a bit of vision – and some leadership – there’s a chance to do something really exciting”. “We’re really excited to hear members’ views
on the above, and will be asking these questions at our various policy forums and conferences over the coming months. “What we want to end up with is a series of
compelling, business-led asks, that we can present to Government down in Westminster, as well as our MPs here locally, and then work with them to realise the growth that we know we have to offer in the East Midlands”.
To find out more about the 2018 Manifesto and to engage in this work, please email
policy@emc-dnl.co.uk
APRIL CHRIS LESLIE – MP FOR NOTTINGHAM EAST
Topic: Brexit’s impact on local business
“Businesses in the East Midlands will need to watch closely the twists and turns of the negotiation process, in order to prepare as best they can. Will the Government compromise in order to get a free trade deal? Will the UK crash out of the article 50 process sooner than expected? I will be trying my best to fight for a positive deal - and talking to contacts across the continent to shape this process as best I can.”
MAY
AMANDA SOLLOWAY – MP FOR DERBY NORTH
Topic: The Midlands Engine
“The Industrial Strategy will be about harnessing the best of what our cities have to offer from developing skills, upgrading infrastructure to encouraging outward trade and investment. The Government opened its doors to discussion and consultation with businesses and organisations to work closely on what matters most, putting together a strategy that focuses on key areas crucial to our future growth.”
JUNE AND JULY/AUGUST No Inside Westminster due to General Election
SEPTEMBER LILIAN GREENWOOD - MP FOR NOTTINGHAM SOUTH
Topic: Transport
“The Government’s decision to scrap plans for the electrification of the Midland Main Line north of Kettering was met with outrage in the region. I hope East Midlands MPs can work together with local stakeholders to challenge the Government’s decision and ensure further investment in our regional transport networks.”
OCTOBER BEN BRADLEY - MP FOR MANSFIELD
Topic: Education and business
“While the academic route through school and university is well known, the route for those in further education is less clear. Providers offer a variety of courses from technical and vocational qualifications to basic employability skills, but I often hear feedback, particularly from smaller businesses, that these skills don’t match their needs.”
NOVEMBER CHRIS WILLIAMSON - MP FOR DERBY NORTH
Topic: Future prospects for Britain’s economy
“It’s clear today that British businesses need a new deal. The invisible hand of the free market has had a chance to deliver and, frankly, it’s so invisible that next to no one has seen a positive outcome. It’s time for big thinking and that today is exactly what Labour is about.”
DECEMBER/JANUARY NEIL O’BRIEN - MP FOR HARBOROUGH
Topic: Supporting Britain’s businesses
“I’m glad to see the Government’s industrial strategy backing investment in science and technology. Here’s what I want to see next. First, Brexit has to be business-friendly. Second, we need to think about how to reform business rates for the age of internet shopping.”
business network February 2018 37
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