Coventry and Warwickshire Local Government leaders and Universities call for strong Midlands Voice in EU negotiations

Coventry and Warwickshire local government leaders, and the city and county’s two universities, are united in their resolve that the concerns, interests, and indeed opportunities for growth in region must have their voice heard in any forthcoming negotiations following the recent EU referendum.

Policy makers, businesses and university researchers have pulled together in our region to create a range of opportunities for growth, jobs, and enhancing our international reputation such as the Midlands Engine and Midlands Innovation. The economic and political settlement that follows the referendum must not just sustain those new opportunities for growth but provide a framework for them to thrive and prosper.

Coventry and Warwickshire is the home of a great many global companies, internationally renowned researcher organisations, and talented people from around the world who serve in hospitals, laboratories, and businesses. We also welcome the many international students who not only contribute to the economy, social fabric, and cultural life of our region, but who also become global ambassadors for the City and the County.

In short, our region is home to a wealth of global businesses and international talent. Our universities add enormously to our international reputation and our ability to attract international investment and global partnerships that bring economic growth. Our policy makers, business and universities have listened and responded to calls to join together to build partnerships for growth. We now call on those who will negotiate our future economic and political relationships to understand and honour what we have done to create and sustain growth in our region, and to give us a future framework that enables us to build on that.

Prof Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Warwick
Cllr George Duggins, Leader, Coventry City Council
Prof John Latham, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, Coventry University
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader, Warwickshire County Council