John Lewis boss outlines why he should be West Midlands Mayor
WHILE not officially named as Conservative candidate for the West Midlands mayoral election, Andy Street has nevertheless outlined why he should be the choice to take on the new role next year.
Mr Street, who stepped down as chairman of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership earlier this month to push his candidacy, said the West Midlands faced a stark choice of continuing to grow economically or stagnating.
Speaking for the first time since applying to be Conservative candidate, Mr Street said his role with the LEP had given him a privileged platform from which to view the renaissance of the region over the last six years.
However, he said this needed to develop further and touch the lives of the hundreds of thousands of people who live in the wider area.
Mr Street, who retains his position as managing director of the John Lewis Partnership until his candidacy is verified, said: “Over the past five years, I’ve witnessed how our region is beginning a transformation not seen for half a century.
“The new role of Mayor offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to accelerate this transformation and truly realise our potential.
“Our Mayor needs to be a strong voice for the West Midlands, accomplished at putting our case to government and being an ambassador around the world, whilst at the same time addressing issues that matter locally: jobs, housing, transport and skills, from Coventry to Wolverhampton.
“I believe I have the necessary experience and skills to make a success of this new role for the benefit of all.”
While the Conservatives don’t officially announce their candidate until next month’s party conference in Birmingham, Mr Street is widely tipped to receive the nomination.
He has already secured the backing of one of the area’s most high profile business figures – and one who had been tipped to run for the office himself – Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham.
In a statement today, Lord Jones confirmed he would not be running for Mayor but would instead be giving his support to Mr Street, presuming he is selected as Conservative candidate.
Lord Jones said Mr Street was the only candidate who could deliver on business, wealth creation, jobs and inward investment.
“Everyone knows I am passionate about the West Midlands. As a proud Brummie I want to see our region ‘punch above its weight’, engage with the rest of the world and make the most of every opportunity. Andy Street is the man to do this. He has the wealth of experience and is firmly on the side of business” he said.
Having such a powerful ally in his corner will be a major benefit to Mr Street’s campaign – even before it has officially begun.
The Conservative Party will make its decision on who will be its candidate for the West Midlands Mayor on September 29.
The election will take place next May and the winning candidate will be the figurehead of the West Midlands Combined Authority – which comprises local authorities in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Sion Simon for Labour and Beverley Nielsen for the Liberal Democrats are currently the only candidates to have officially been selected to contest the election.
