Alexander Stafford MP joined politicians, university chiefs, and business leaders from across Yorkshire to launch their vision for the county at a virtual event hosted by Policy Yorkshire, with discussions led by former Home Secretary Lord Blunkett, long-time Yorkshire advocate Lord Haskins, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford Professor Shirley Congdon.
The participants agreed on the need to harness the potential of Yorkshire to transform the county into a powerhouse, with collaboration between government, business, and education. This combination of skills, investment, and political will would improve quality of life and create opportunities for the residents of the region.
A main theme was the importance of promoting ‘Brand Yorkshire’ in every sector, ensuring that the county is a hub for tourism, study, business, and living. The group praised Yorkshire as one of the only regions in the UK outside London which is capable of being self-sufficient and noted that the county’s excellent sense of community, identity, and pride gives it an advantage over other areas.
As a representative for Rother Valley, Alexander appreciates that South Yorkshire’s specific needs must be respected as part of any wider Yorkshire cooperation. The South Yorkshire voice is reflected in his close contact with the Sheffield City Region and Rother Valley’s proximity to the University of Sheffield, one of the country’s leading academic institutions.
Speaking after the meeting, Alexander Stafford, Conservative MP for Rother Valley, said: “More cohesion between the cities, towns, and regions of Yorkshire can only be a good thing for Rother Valley. The vision for Yorkshire discussed today ties in with my priorities for the future of Rother Valley, which are high quality jobs in the area and excellent transport connectivity. This will drive economic growth and investment, attracting businesses and people to our community. Together, Yorkshire can tackle issues of climate change and accelerate economic recovery from COVID-19, building on the industry and entrepreneurial spirit for which Rother Valley and Yorkshire are so famous.”
Alexander is keen to discuss his priorities for the future of Rother Valley and can be contacted on [email protected] or followed on Facebook, Twitter, and his website.
