Skipton MP Julian Smith and Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore have congratulated their colleague Liz Truss following her selection as the new Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister.
Julian Smith also highlighted the 'massive immediate challenges ahead' for Ms Truss - including dealing with energy costs, supporting small businesses and restoring power-sharing to Northern Ireland.
Robbie Moore said it was 'brilliant news' that Liz Truss is to be the country's third female Conservative Prime Minister, adding: "Now let’s get straight to work to tackle growing cost of living challenge, ensure growth and job creation is at heart of Government policy and focus on delivering for all across Keighley & Ilkley."
Labour Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “My door is open for the new Prime Minister who will urgently have to grapple with the cost-of-living crisis.
“Here in West Yorkshire, one in three households will have no disposable income left after paying their energy bills as things currently stand, and I’m calling on Liz Truss to urgently freeze the energy price cap to provide them a lifeline.
"Her new Government must also deliver on her pledge to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail in full, with that vital new station in Bradford, as well as come good on long-promised investment to help make “levelling up” a reality and not just a soundbite.”
The Leader of Bradford Council has called for a meeting with Liz Truss as soon as possible to discuss her promise to bring Northern Powerhouse Rail to Bradford.
In her campaign to take on the nation’s top political role, Ms Truss said she would reverse the previous Government’s decision to scrap much of the high speed rail line, including its Bradford stop.
After she was revealed as the next Prime Minister today Bradford Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “I look forward to working with the new Prime Minister Liz Truss and holding her to account on the delivery of her promises to our district.
“First and foremost everyone is worried about their energy bills increasing and the cost of living crisis. Recent research by Centre for Cities shows Bradford is among the cities hardest hit by inflation, so we have to see much more from government to ensure that people and businesses have the support they need through the coming months, as well as a proper plan for the longer term.
“Secondly, Liz Truss has spoken of her priority to invest in growth and we welcome the commitment she has made to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail for Bradford. We are now seeking a meeting with her at the earliest opportunity.
“A Bradford city centre stop will generate transformational economic growth of £30bn, create 27,000 new jobs and unlock a regeneration site three times the size of Canary Wharf. Our capacity for economic growth has seen Bradford ranked as the country’s number one levelling up opportunity.
“Locally we are investing in a pipeline of projects to stimulate regeneration in our city and town centres. We do however need support from Government at a time when the cost of living crisis is hitting households and businesses so hard and it is also putting unprecedented pressure on council budgets.
“So I am calling on the new Prime Minister to address critical pressures on households, businesses and local services, to deliver on her promise of NPR including a Bradford city centre stop and I will be inviting her to Bradford to show her first-hand the unrivalled opportunities our district offers for truly transformational growth.”
Councillor Rebecca Poulsen, Leader of the Conservative Group on the Council, said, “I am delighted that the selection process is finished and we have a new Prime Minister in place.
“In light of the very serious challenges facing the nation it is important that we now have certainty over who is steering the ship.
“My Conservative Group colleagues and I have been alarmed recently by the seemingly never ending announcements of proposed cost of living increases, described by the outgoing Prime Minister, Boris Johnson as “eye watering” and we are reassured that Liz has promised to publish an energy crisis plan within one week of becoming Prime Minister, as a rapid response is much needed and we look forward to seeing the detail.
“At a local level we are delighted that Liz has committed to delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail in full, to unleash Bradford’s potential to become an engine room of the Northern Powerhouse. This will increase employment and thus economic prospects for Bradford District residents.
“The Conservative Group are pleased to welcome a Prime Minister clearly committed to levelling up the nation’s economic prosperity and who specifically recognises the importance of making Bradford a key integral part of the plan.”
Congratulations to @trussliz on a hard fought campaign & very well done to @RishiSunak - massive immediate challenges ahead - energy costs, supporting small business & restoring NI powersharing/fixing the protocol impasse to name just four
— Julian Smith MP (@JulianSmithUK) September 5, 2022
Brilliant News! Huge Congratulations to @trussliz, our 3rd female @Conservatives PMđ
— Robbie Moore MP (@_RobbieMoore) September 5, 2022
Now letâs get straight to work to tackle growing cost of living challenge, ensure growth & job creation is at heart of Government policy & focus on delivering for all across Keighley & Ilkleyđ pic.twitter.com/gatZoZdkVi
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