John Battle, Labour MP for Leeds West, met the Leeds business community
for breakfast this morning.
The meeting was a question and answer session organised by Leeds Chamber
of Commerce and The Business newspaper, with Mr Battle, Leeds-Bradford
Airports Ed Anderson and Chris Edwards of Education Leeds.
It was a useful opportunity to hear what Leeds businesses are
thinking, said Mr Battle.
Leeds is the economic powerhouse for West Yorkshire, and I think
the need now is for Leeds to co-operate more closely with the rest of
the region to build a sustainable regional economy - not to retreat into
Fortress Leeds. Transport is very important with between 20,000 and 30,000
people commuting into Leeds every day.
I am lobbying for a Leeds-Bradford tram link, through West Leeds
and Pudsey, improving the links between our cities and allowing more Bradford
people to gain from jobs on offer in Leeds.
I also support Bradfords bid to be European City of Culture
for 2008 - it will boost the whole region, not just Bradford. |