Helen Morgan launches petition to ‘stop merger with Birmingham!’

Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has launched a petition calling for Shropshire residents to have a vote in the event of proposals to extend the West Midlands Combined Authority to the county.

This comes as senior Conservatives have floated the idea of expanding the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to include Shropshire and Warwickshire. The WMCA currently includes Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry and four other urban council areas. An expanded WMCA would give the West Midlands Mayor power over Shropshire.

Talks between the Conservative Mayor of the West Midlands and Shropshire Council’s Conservative Leader to consider expanding the West Midlands Combined Authority into Shropshire have already taken place

Liberal Democrat councillors in Shropshire have joined the MP in voicing their concerns, suggesting that this could see rural voices ignored and Shropshire losing out on even more investment.

Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire said, “Shropshire should not be steamrolled into becoming part of the West Midlands Combined Authority. Birmingham and Shropshire are worlds apart and rural voices could be ignored all too easily.

“I’m launching a petition to give residents a say over whether they want to stop this merger with Birmingham, if WMCA expansion proposals go ahead.

“Everyone in Shropshire should be concerned by Conservative talks over the WMCA expansion, and I really urge residents to sign my petition and show the strength of opinion on this.”

Cllr Roger Evans, Leader of the Shropshire Council Liberal Democrats added,  “Our residents tell us on the doorstep that they want decision-making to be more local, not less. Merging with the West Midlands could be disastrous for Shropshire and remove democratic decision making from local councillors and residents, and into the hands of a Mayor elected mostly by voters in big urban areas.

“Helen’s petition is important as it shows Shropshire will not stand for this without residents being given a real vote and say on the matter.”

Shropshire residents can sign Helen’s petition at www.helenmorgan.org.uk/wmca and are encouraged by the MP to share the link widely.