The West Midlands needs a financially-competent executive who will put the interests of its citizens above petty national politicking.
It can be transformative for young people, their families, their communities and – by creating a better skilled workforce – the wider economy too.
Meanwhile, the general public is also mobilising against council cuts. Backed by the city’s Conservative councillors, they are getting ready to fight their corner.
Given the lessons he could have learnt from Houchen, Street, and Burnham, there is really little excuse for Khan not to be doing significantly better.
Given more control and fairer settlements, councils could cut local taxes, back small businesses, and invest in preventative social services. Ultimately, power would rest with communities to kick out wasteful councillors and reward the prudent.
Last week’s Autumn Statement signalled a significant shift in power in the UK. For the West Midlands, it delivered not only announcements that will help supercharge our economy, but a fundamental change in how this region will be run.
The Prime Minister will want to avoid the trap that Gordon Brown created for himself in the autumn of 2007.
The effect of the train strikes on attendance, the trauma of recent years, and the change in the nature of the Tory Conference itself leave the question hanging.
“HS2 is in the process of being built, it is transformational… the Prime Minister is absolutely committed to levelling up, and this is part of that levelling up.”
Reports suggest that Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt plan both to scrap HS2’s northern link between Birmingham and Manchester and to stop the line from terminating at London Euston.
Part of Birmingham’s role is to be the city at the centre the West Midlands, as our mission to renew our region continues. It saddens me that this self-inflicted wound could make that more difficult.
Andy Street has pursued a brownfield-first policy, with the only exception being around the new High Speed 2 Solihull Rail Station.
Better skills not only improve the earning power of families, they also drive aspiration, social mobility, and ambition, while rewarding those who work hard – all fundamental Conservative values.
As the party of business, we Conservatives must press those energy retailers to do the right thing, but if that approach fails, we must be willing to step in again to help firms keep the lights on.
There’s undoubtedly a lot to do before 2030 and beyond. But our target drives the investment and innovation needed to deliver the electric vehicle transformation, lower people’s bills, create jobs, and tackle climate change.