Nielsen calls for radical change in mayoral tilt

Launching her manifesto in Wolverhampton, Beverley Nielsen it was time for the West Midlands to become a 'self-made' region that builds on its proud industrial heritage.

"We must also invest in our small and medium-sized businesses, in our people and in our communities, and deliver shared growth across the region," she said.

Ms Nielsen's manifesto focuses on seven priority areas: improving opportunities for people of all ages, delivering homes for those on all incomes, tackling congestion, growing 'home-made' businesses, enhancing the region's natural assets, creating safe and secure communities, and delivering fairer public services.

“Some of the issues which neither Labour or the Tories have addressed over the decades are obvious, such as more efficient and more 'connected' public transport systems, a much greater focus on increasing skills, and on matching those skills more effectively to employers' requirements,” she said.

“We also can't pretend that it's possible to deliver all the new homes which this region desperately needs, without the careful use of some Green Belt land, as well as using brownfield sites. Failing to address the Green Belt issue because of party politics would be failing our citizens."

Ms Nielsen's proposals include a £1bn Innovation fund to back business start-ups, a chamber for business growth to create clusters of craft-led firms and mid-tech ventures, a 'media city' based at the NEC to rival Manchester's Salford, and a regional assembly allowing the public voice to be more easily heard.

She appealed to voters to consider a new approach to politics, vowing to be 'a champion for change' and a 'unifying voice across the political divide'.

Ms Nielsen will take on five other candidates bidding to be the region's Mayor at the election on May 4.