The Teesside area lost out on massive investment recently thanks to China-owned British Steel scrapping plans to build a “green steel” furnace there. After talks with Labour ministers it’s going to Scunthorpe…
Mayor Ben Houchen raged against the change of plan and attacked the Scunthorpe plan as a “profound mistake with long-term consequences for our economy, local jobs and indeed our national security.” In a classic example of local campaign Houchen launched on the rival area as having “significant challenges” with “grid constraints and extensive remediation needed.” You’d think the local MPs might think the same…
In a letter to Houchen the six local Labour MPs praised the government for recognising steel as a “strategic national industry, critical to the future of our economy.” They went on to praise the loss of investment specifically:
“Labour is committed to making Teesside central to the UK’s industrial future, with major investments like Net Zero Teesside, CCUS and hydrogen projects already placing our area at the forefront of the transition to a green economy. We understand the government’s determination to secure steel jobs in Scunthorpe through the EAFs. However, this is only the first step in a long-term plan to rebuild the UK’s steelmaking capacity.”
That’s an interesting pitch to their constituents. Guido couldn’t help but imagine firebrands like Anna Turley would be on the picket line in any other circumstance…
Sarah Pochin at Reform Scotland’s manifesto launch event: “I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burka, but apparently I wasn’t allowed… One day let’s do one of these events not live-streamed. We’ll do all the naughty stuff…”