"Don't forget Wiltshire": MP urges incoming PM to widen focus
Brian Mathew for Melksham and Devizes wants clear leadership and direction from incoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham
A Wiltshire MP is urging incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham not to forget rural counties like Wiltshire and the wider south west region.
Burnham, who recently returned to being an MP after winning a by-election in Makerfield, is set to take over at Labour Party Leader from current PM Sir Kier Starmer. He's expected to take office on Monday 20th July.
The former Mayor of Greater Manchester has already outlined some of his key ambitions, including devolution of power of to local regions, and MP for Melksham and Devizes, Brian Mathew, says it's vital he broadens his focus to include the whole country.
"I welcome some of his aims in devolution and handing power to people locally, who ought to know better than central government how and where to spend money effectively. But so far, his focus has been clearly trained on the north and while much of this is commendable, we face distinct challenges in the West Country as well.
"I want to see him recognizing in his ideas for many areas, including rural transport links, community healthcare, flooding support, and how to ensure development is sustainable, actually promotes growth locally," the Liberal Democrat told us.
He told us that he'd had a short meeting with the Makerfield MP to say hello and wish him well. But Dr Mathew said it is crucial that Burnham follows through on what he says.
"The Labour Government has been listless for too long and if Burnham comes up with a clear agenda and will at least get into and work out how we can best advocate for Wiltshire as part of that," he said.
Among the key issues the Melksham and Devizes MP wants the new PM to tackle is the cost-of-living and getting control of the economy.
"In my part of Wiltshire, people remain acutely worried about the cost of living crisis. We're potentially going to see rising energy prices and food prices increasing as well. So if you can get a grip on the economy more generally and truly make people feel better off, I know my constituents would value that."
He added that growth in the hospitality industry is a must, alongside small businesses, with many telling him that they feel squeezed by Government decisions in the last two years.
"These businesses invariably provide good jobs and they're keeping the high streets alive as well as contributing to the economy. So it's so important that that is taken into account and they're not continually taxed into extinction."
Dr Mathew believes Burnham can succeed and give Britain what it has been missing: "I think he can do well. I think, unlike Starmer, he's got a kind of warm side to his personality. I hope that comes out and I hope that works because the country needs clear direction."