Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward’s Post

PHEW! CONGRATS. HERE's TO THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WHEN ALL #startups matter, 5.2 million #microbizmatters and 3.8 million #ExcludedUK matter. Please say to all FTSE 350 companies that the new Labour Government will not buy from them, accept tenders from them, fund them, bail them out, license them or contract with them in any way unless they #PayIn30Days or less ALL their bills all the time (to ALL sizes of company). No more UNFAIR, debt-creating, enterprise, life, and livelihood-strangling UNFAIR, 'take it or leave it' 45 to 120-day payment terms, and UNFAIR payment practices, which lead to a £30 billion logjam and self-employed people and micro business owners, with monthly bills to pay, having to wait two months for payment. Our thanks also go to Bill Esterson and Liz Barclay for their persistent support and understanding over the past many years and for attending our events with self-employed people and microbusiness owners. Ian Cass, our leader of The Micro Business Alliance (over 100 organisations engaged with over 1.4 million micro-business owners), is excited to work with you with total confidentiality on our behalf. Thanks (LP member - 30 yrs campaigning for #startups, #microbizmatters & #payin30days).

The RHA would like to congratulate the new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on his decisive election victory. We look forward to working with him, his new Government and newly elected MPs on our sector’s priorities to help them deliver their missions and plans for economic growth. There is a key opportunity in the first 100 days of this new administration to make the early improvements our industry needs to grow and there are a range of policies outlined in our manifesto that we will be looking for the new Government to bring forward. Our industry – HGV, vans and coaches – is a key economic enabler but we’re operating in a climate of mounting cost pressures and uncertainty which we must tackle. We’re clear that collaboration between government and industry is vital as we develop ideas and solutions that will help unlock our country’s economic potential and drive future growth.

📣 SCC Response to General Election Result 📣   Commenting on the results of the UK General Election, Dr Liz Cameron CBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:   “We look forward to working with the new Labour UK government and focussing on action to support the growth of the Scottish and UK economy.   “Now the election is over, the real work of government must begin and that means supporting job creation and enabling Scotland to remain ahead of the game in global competitiveness.   “We need an ambitious programme of pro-enterprise and pro-growth policies, but without urgent action, the opportunity for positive change clearly mandated by the electorate will be wasted.   “Now more than ever we need our leaders at Holyrood and Westminster, and our new Scottish MPs, to work together to put the economy and growth at the forefront of all policy discussions to ensure that Scotland remains prosperous for all.” We want to know your thoughts and how this will affect you and your business ⬇️ #GeneralElection #EastReen #SupportLocal

Britain’s new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has issued a warning about "tough decisions" ahead as his Labour government begins addressing the numerous crises plaguing the country’s struggling public sector. Just 24 hours into his term, Starmer convened a meeting with his newly appointed cabinet on Saturday, later stating that repairing Britain’s "broken" public services would be a lengthy process. On Sunday, he plans to embark on a tour of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, followed by a summit with England’s metropolitan mayors. This indicates a strategy to involve local governments more deeply in what is traditionally a highly centralised British administration. #KeirStarmer #UKPrimeMinister #LabourGovernment #ToughDecisions #PublicSectorCrisis #BrokenServices #BritainChallenges #NewCabinet #UKPolitics #RebuildingBritain #LocalGovernance #DevolvedNations #PublicServiceReform #StarmerTour #ScotlandWalesNIreland #EnglandMayors #LocalInvolvement #BritishAdministration #PoliticalLeadership #LabourAgenda

Britain’s new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has issued a warning about "tough decisions" ahead as his Labour government begins addressing the numerous crises plaguing the country’s struggling public sector. Just 24 hours into his term, Starmer convened a meeting with his newly appointed cabinet on Saturday, later stating that repairing Britain’s "broken" public services would be a lengthy process. On Sunday, he plans to embark on a tour of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, followed by a summit with England’s metropolitan mayors. This indicates a strategy to involve local governments more deeply in what is traditionally a highly centralised British administration. #KeirStarmer #UKPrimeMinister #LabourGovernment #ToughDecisions #PublicSectorCrisis #BrokenServices #BritainChallenges #NewCabinet #UKPolitics #RebuildingBritain #LocalGovernance #DevolvedNations #PublicServiceReform #StarmerTour #ScotlandWalesNIreland #EnglandMayors #LocalInvolvement #BritishAdministration #PoliticalLeadership #LabourAgenda

A sign of a great democracy. While most countries take weeks and months to transition from one President/Prime Minister to the next (in Mexico, for example, it takes four months, six previously), in the UK, it takes just a few hours. This rapid transition is possible because of the civil service's strength and efficiency and the government's stability. When a new Prime Minister is elected in the UK, the handover is not just swift, but also seamless. This is a testament to the well-established systems and protocols, ensuring that governance continues smoothly without disruption. The civil service, with its crucial role in providing continuity and support, allows the new leadership to step in and start governing almost immediately. Such efficiency is a hallmark of a mature and resilient democracy. It reflects a system where institutions are strong, procedures are clear, and the focus is always on serving the people effectively. The ability to transition power quickly and efficiently not only demonstrates political stability but also instills a strong sense of public confidence in the democratic process. In these times of global uncertainty, the UK's example (regardless of who won) is an essential reminder of the value of robust democratic institutions and a dedicated civil service. They are the backbone that supports a swift and stable transition of power, ensuring that the nation continues to function smoothly regardless of political changes. #Democracy #CivilService #GovernmentStability #LeadershipTransition #UKPolitics #PoliticalContinuity #EffectiveGovernance #PublicConfidence #InstitutionalStrength

If you missed it, you can also watch this morning's webinar on-demand to hear our panel of experts discuss their immediate reactions to the election outcome. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eUm9v4zf

Interesting to meet Ben Bradley - one of the candidates for East Midlands Mayor - and discuss some of the common challenges facing the UK Manufacturing/Engineering sector right now. Ben also talked about his 3 main priorities for the East Midlands (should he get elected in May). 1. Transportation - £1.5bn already secured for local transport priorities (although my fear here is that this will get watered down by sorting potholes and local buses, rather than significant investment in regional train/tram services). 2. Skills - one of THE biggest challenges for many businesses right now. 3. Investment - cited the recent example of Andy Burnham securing significant Japanese investment for the Greater Manchester region. It all sounds promising, however as with most things "political", the proof will be in the pudding.

A devolution ‘revolution’ 💡 Today, the government is pledging to begin a new devolution ‘revolution’ that will see even more powers transferred away from Westminster, towards local leaders. This comes as the Deputy Prime Minister has written to local leaders to urge them to work with government on devolution. Read more👇👇 https://lnkd.in/evVeEYq4 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government #Devolution #LocalGovernernment #UKGovernment

"Echoes of 1979: Is Britain Revisiting the Past?" As the UK gears up for the next election, striking parallels are emerging between the challenges faced by Margaret Thatcher in 1979 and those looming on the horizon for the next administration. From soaring inflation to resurfacing strikes, the landscape bears undeniable resemblances to the tumultuous era that Thatcher inherited. Civil servants in Whitehall are already preparing briefings for incoming ministers, reminiscent of the preparations made four decades ago. These uncanny similarities raise questions about whether Britain is on the brink of revisiting the upheavals of the past and signal the daunting tasks awaiting the winner of the upcoming election. As the nation stands at this critical juncture, the echoes of history serve as a sobering reminder of the need for decisive leadership and innovative solutions to navigate the challenges ahead.