With the local election results announced over the weekend we have seen a dramatic and, in many places, unprecedented vote of confidence in both the Government and our local Conservative councils. The clear message that has been sent by the voters is that they want us to get on with delivering the vaccine and recovering from the coronavirus pandemic. In Rugby, the Conservative-led borough council gained a seat in Newbold and Brownsover and in Warwickshire, Conservatives now represent 42 of the 57 divisions – a great result for our hardworking councils and councillors who have been at the forefront of the response to coronavirus. In addition, Philip Seccombe has been re-elected as Warwickshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner and will continue to do the job of making our streets safer.
It was great news to see that Andy Street was re-elected as Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority. Andy is a great asset for the Midlands and his agenda will continue to deliver the exciting investment in the future of manufacturing, such as the UK Battery Innovation Centre which will help drive the electric vehicle revolution. Alongside these great local results, the Conservatives have gained control of thirteen councils and have two hundred and thirty nine new councillors. These are unprecedented gains for a Government in midterm elections, and which show how the public want us to carry on delivering on their priorities.
Jill Mortimer, the Conservative candidate in the Hartlepool by-election, won a historic victory in a seat which has been held by Labour since its creation in 1974. This is a demonstration of how the electoral landscape has now shifted, with the Conservatives delivering investment and regeneration as part of our levelling up agenda.
Our focus must now turn to the job of recovering from the coronavirus pandemic. In the Queen’s Speech, the Government has set out ambitious plans to deliver on the people’s priorities, including continuing to provide the NHS with the funding it needs, enabling more people to own their own home and investing in the industries of the future. I look forward to working to achieve these goals with my colleagues both here in Rugby and Warwickshire, and in Parliament.