In a debate in the Commons on Tuesday, Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Local Government, said she would be continuing to work to get agreement on a BLMK strategic authority.
Commenting, Richard Fuller MP recorded this video and said:
Labour appears intent on pushing ahead with its proposed Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) mayoral authority, despite strong local opposition from Bedford Mayor Tom Wootton and Central Bedfordshire.
As I have warned previously, BLMK would be subscale, leaving rural areas in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire at the mercy of the priorities of the sprawling urban areas of Milton Keynes and Luton.
We should not be forced into a reorganisation that leaves us with an authority too small to have a meaningful national voice, yet too urban in character to protect the interests and rural character of our communities.
A six-authority strategic authority covering the whole South Midlands, and including West Northamptonshire and North Northamptonshire, would create a more substantial mayoral authority, better placed to compete with neighbouring regions to our east and west. It would enable more effective coordination of infrastructure investment, skills provision, business support and growth strategies.
Labour must listen to local concerns rather than impose a structure that risks undermining rural Bedfordshire. I will continue to make the case for a sensible solution that gives our communities the representation and voice they deserve.
You can read Richard's earlier posts on this topic here.
