West Midland Mayor's optimism for region which gave the world 'Tommy Shelby and orange chips'

Richard Parker spoke at the annual Labour Party Conference for the first time as West Midlands' Mayor

The new Mayor of the West Midlands set out his vision for the region that gave the world "Noddy Holder, Thomas Shelby and orange chips" at the Labour Party Conference. Richard Parker took to the stage at the annual conference in Liverpool on Monday (September 23) in which he set out his ambitions as well as updating delegates on what he has done in the first four months of his term of office.

He also thanked campaigners from around the country who held him oust former Tory Mayor Andy Street by a tight 1,500 margin back in May. In a speech lasting around six and a half minutes, Mr Parker declared tackling youth unemployment, building new homes and communities, expanding the Workwise programme which provides free travel passes to help new job starters and economic growth were high on his agenda.

As part of his plan to address the youth unemployment rates, which are twice as high as national averages, he said he is working with businesses such Severn Trent Water, AtkinsRealis, and the Rigby Group to deliver 3,000 apprenticeships. Mr Parker also said travelling to work is a 'real challenge' which limits opportunities for young people and, therefore, expanding the Workwise programme would give them the support they needed.

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He pledged to build tens of thousands of new 'affordable, sustainable' houses over the next few years to create 'communities where everyone has a place to call home'. And he said the £5 billion investment zones created in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry will deliver 30,000 new jobs

Mr Parker said: "The West Midlands welcomed me over 40 years ago and I've never left. I'm now ready for the opportunities that lie ahead. Four months in post and what have we been doing? It's a question I get asked a lot and the answer is - a hell of a lot.

"It's been relentlessly busy but that's what it should be about and that's because the region is crying out for change. I'm not a man to rush in. The West Midlands knows it has a new mayor and not just a Mayor with new politics but a Mayor with a different style and tone.

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"I don't shout or stamp my feet or throw tantrums and the busiest person in my office isn't my personal photographer - that's not my style. But make no mistake, I'm hugely ambitious for the region. Fearless, not reckless."

He added: "It was the West Midlands that made me. It game me an opportunity to get on in life and now I'm going to pay that back. When the West Midlands works and prospers, the country prospers too.

"By investing in the region that gave us Noddy Holder, Thomas Shelby, Dairy Milk, the bicycle and orange chips, we are driving the change we want across the whole of the UK. I'm incredibly optimistic about the future of our region. The West Midlands is not just the heart of the country it's the beating pulse of the future. A brighter, more prosperous future and that change begins here today."

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