Erewash Tory Election Candidate responds to plan to transform 30 more towns

Following the dissolution of Parliament after the announcement of the General Election on 4th July, the Conservative candidate for Erewash, Maggie Throup, who is standing again to reclaim her seat, has welcomed the plan to transform 30 more towns.

On 1st June, the party detailed the proposal to invest £20m for a 'Long Term Plan for Towns' which would take the total number of locations in the programme to over 100. Local people in each town will decide how the money is used for long-term regeneration of their area.

Maggie Throup said: "This is fantastic news and will really make a real difference to everyone living in Ilkeston. It adds to the £25 million for Long Eaton through the Town Fund Deal and this is levelling up at its very best.”

A statement from The Conservative Party said: "Talent is spread evenly across the UK, but opportunity is not. The Conservatives’ levelling up plans have begun to address this, with £15 billion of government funding and billions more in private investment creating real improvements already. But we will go further.

"Labour has offered no plan for how to improve these towns. Instead, they have criticised the Conservatives for directing this funding to the places that need it most.  Through freeports and investment zones, the Conservatives have turbocharged private investment in places that have been overlooked. Already, these zones have attracted new businesses, generated billions in private investment and created thousands of jobs where they are most needed.

"Local people, not those in Westminster, will decide how the money will be spent. New Town Boards will be set up to bring together community leaders, businesspeople, local government, and the local MP, to develop and deliver the plan for their town. Bringing decision makers closer to the people and businesses this transformational funding will affect is an important element of this plan."

Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister said: “We the Conservatives have a plan for towns because we know they are the beating heart of our country. This bold action will transform 30 more towns – reviving their high streets, growing their local economies and making people feel proud of the place they call home.

“Labour’s record in government shows they don’t care about towns – neglecting their needs, allowing them to decline and focusing instead on cities. Sir Keir Starmer has no plan to unlock opportunities in towns and would take us back to square one.

“Building on our strong track record of levelling up in Teesside and the Midlands, we will go further across the country to build a secure future for our children and grandchildren.”

Michael Gove, Levelling Up Secretary, said: “This bold action will be transformational for towns around the country. It will allow local people to take back control – creating better jobs, improving transport and generating more investment.

“The Conservatives have a clear plan to spread opportunity so that talent and hard work, not geography, determine people’s life chances. Sir Keir Starmer has no plan and no idea how to help people help themselves, just patronising platitudes that would take us back to square one."