Since fi rst writing to Steve Barclay MP, the Chancellor of the Duchy
of Lancaster, to highlight the reasons why Milton Keynes deserved city status, the MPs have continued to lobby their Ministerial colleagues in Parliament for the case of Milton Keynes being recognised as a city. Iain Stewart, who is MP for Milton Keynes South, said: “I am over
the moon that Her Majesty T e Queen has chosen Milton Keynes to be recognised as a city in the year of her Platinum Jubilee “Whilst I note I may be biased, I truly believe that Milton Keynes is one
of the best cities in the world. Where else are you going to fi nd the history of the World War Two codebreakers at Bletchley Park mixed with the future of driverless cars and delivery robots? “T e city of Milton Keynes has so much to off er to residents and visitors
of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. T e plethora of green space, the Open University, Milton Keynes College and MK Dons are some of the many amazing things that contribute to the wonderful community of Milton Keynes. “It is an absolute honour and privilege to represent Milton Keynes in
Parliament and I am thrilled to have played my part in securing Milton Keynes’ city status.” Ben Everitt, MP for Milton Keynes North, said: “We’ve all been calling it
a city for years so I’m absolutely thrilled Milton Keynes has been successful in its bid and will now offi cially become a city. “We may be just 55 years old, but we’ve got so much history, with
Bletchley Park and Wolverton Works and, looking forward we can become the Silicon Valley of Europe with our innovation and technology, with the success of the delivery robots, autonomous car trials and space research. “We’ve got incredible education institutions in Milton Keynes College,
the Open University and the Institute of Technology and, as we have seen through the pandemic and now into the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, we have a truly fantastic community spirit.” Cllr Pete Marland, Leader of Milton Keynes Council, was also thrilled at
the news, and excited about the prospects city status will off er. “T is formal seal of approval solidifi es what we’ve always known and highlights what an innovative, forward-thinking, and exciting place Milton Keynes truly is. Although it’s only half a century old, Milton Keynes is steeped in history. It has over 1,100 listed buildings, dozens of conservation areas, and historical hubs like Bletchley Park.
“In fact, this is the only city in the country where
you can live in a 19th Century cottage and have your shopping delivered by a robot! Milton Keynes also boasts a brilliant economy with thousands of SMEs and this city status will bring further investment to MK. “It’s an exciting time for Milton Keynes and I’m
grateful to everyone who backed and contributed to the bid. City status will give us the opportunity to make our great city even greater.” T e Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership
represents the diverse business community in the city, working to attract investment investing in, and celebrating, the continued growth of local businesses, communities, people and skills through innovation, partnership and collaboration. Nicholas Mann, Chair of the Milton Keynes
Business Leaders Partnership, said: “What a time to achieve our long-cherished ambition. “I was humbled and honoured to have served on the committee as vice-chair, supporting the Chair, John Moff oot MBE, MK Council, and a group of more than 50 individuals and organisations, to develop the application for city status. And it was, of course, befi tting of our city’s technological prowess that this bid commenced its journey to Her Majesty via a Starship Robot. “From all corners of communities across Milton
Keynes, the wealth of public support for the bid was phenomenal. Achieving city status will, of course, bring international recognition and benefit our thriving economy, but it also recognises the very essence of what makes Milton Keynes great – from our celebrated green spaces and heritage sites to our diversity and commitment to our people and our environment. “As we collaboratively celebrate this civic honour,
we should all be proud of the role we have played in realising the vision of our founders and creating the great city Milton Keynes has become today.”
ALL THINGS BUSINESS 17
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