Street wastes no time throwing down gauntlet to Mayoral opponents
FORMER Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP chair Andy Street has used the main stage of the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham to outline his bid to become the new Mayor of the West Midlands.
Introduced by devolution architect Lord Heseltine, Mr Street said he aimed to unlock the region’s economic potential with a campaign that was “moderate, inclusive and tolerant”.
He also wasted no time in throwing down the gauntlet to his opponents by challenging them to debate the issues around skills, housing, jobs and transport prior to next May’s election.
Mr Street, who remains as managing director of John Lewis until the end of October, said: “As Mayor, my guiding aim will be to once again to make this the regional economic powerhouse of Britain.”
He said there might be some who questioned that ambition but citing former Birmingham Mayor Joseph Chamberlain, he said that social challenges could only be met when everybody shared the fruits of economic progress.
He also tackled the issues of transport – HS2 in particular, social mobility, skills and employment.
“And given the importance of our task across Transport, Skills, and Housing and jobs, today I challenge my opponents to debate these issues with me right across the whole of the West Midlands.”
He further underlined his credentials for the role by adding: “Will the Mayor go banging the drum around the world for us; will the Mayor fight hard for the best deal from Central Government; will the Mayor make the case for us hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games here – with me as Mayor the answer is Yes, Yes, Yes,” he said.
However, he said that above all else it is about building a sustainable economic future – and without referencing his opponents directly – said this would require “proven leadership experience”.
