Across all parties the regions MPs have signed a letter, drafted by Dame Caroline Spelman, to show their support for Birmingham’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
The letter was sent to the Bids team leaders; West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, and the leader of Birmingham City Council, Cllr Ian Ward, who will shortly meet the Commonwealth Games Federation to promote the bid.
Birmingham was left as he only viable bid after Durban pulled out of hosting the games but the CGF have extended the bidding process to try and attract other competitors.
As Dame Caroline said “ the preparation period for the games has been truncated by Durban pulling out so time is now of the essence. The CGF should get on and decide so that Birmingham can crack on with preparing the facilities region so to leave lasting and beneficial legacy”.
The letter read:
Dear Andy and Ian,
We, the undersigned MPs for the West Midlands region, write in support of the bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022 in Birmingham and the surrounding region.
This bid has the full support of the UK Government including a financial contribution. Our Local Authorities through the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) have also offered their financial support. Given that the preparation period for these games has been shortened by the decision of Durban to pull out of hosting them, we urge the Commonwealth Games Federation to make a rapid decision so that everyone involved can crack on and make sure the 2022 Games are a great success.
Yours ever,
Rt. Hon. Dame Caroline Spelman MP (Meriden)
Co-Signatories:
Jack Dromey MP
Wendy Morton MP
Julian Knight MP
Marcus Jones MP
Michael Fabricant MP
Mark Garnier MP
Mike Wood MP
Rachel Maclean MP
Jeremy Lefroy MP
Craig Tracey MP
Eddie Hughes MP
Mark Pawsey MP
Philip Dunne MP
Steve McCabe MP
Harriet Baldwin MP
Bill Wiggin MPLiam Byrne MP
James Morris MP