Demands for airport strategy to consider the region .
Labour’s top MEP candidates for the West Midlands, Neena Gill and Siôn Simon have called on the government to “back Birmingham and the West Midlands for once” when the Davies Commission reports on future airport development. The call comes ahead of a debate on aviation strategy taking place in Parliament today.
Speaking ahead of the debate, West Midlands MEP candidate Neena Gill said, “It would be extremely short-sighted of the Davies Commission to ignore the needs of the industrial heart of our country. If Birmingham Airport is ignored, it will once again be another example of how this Tory-led government is putting the south-east first and ignoring the people and businesses of the West Midlands.
“Birmingham Airport must figure on the Davies shortlist. Ignoring Birmingham Airport would risk massive economic damage. This government needs to back Birmingham and the West Midlands for once.
“We need to build an aviation strategy that genuinely serves our national economy. Sir Howard Davies must recognise that the West Midlands cannot flourish without the required international connectivity.”
West Midlands MEP candidate Siôn Simon added, “It is imperative that Birmingham Airport makes the short list. We need better international links to support local business and industry in growing the West Midlands economy and generating jobs.
“The UK economy is already massively unbalanced in favour of London and the South East. In the West Midlands we are under-invested by government and our private sector is constrained as a result.
“Yet another short-sighted decision will further unbalance the country and damage the West Midlands at precisely the time that we need investment in our transport infrastructure.
“Our physical position at the centre of England’s transport network is a unique competitive edge. Yet this Tory-led government seem determined to stop us exploiting this key competitive advantage.
“For decades the Tories have shown they don’t care about the West Midlands. Failure to shortlist Birmingham Airport would be a huge mistake and a massive disappointment but from this government it would be no surprise.”
