Battle is The Business - 20th May 2002

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 Airport’s 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 Bradford’s bid to be European City of Culture for 2008 - it will boost the whole region, not just Bradford.”