“We believe in Bradford” - Local MPs clash in Commons over City of Culture Impact

A government minister today questioned whether a local district MP thinks Bradford is unable to contribute to the UK's "cultural life " after clashing with a neighbouring MP over the benefits of its 2025 City of Culture designation.

Anna Dixon, the Labour MP for Shipley, and Robbie Moore, the Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley, expressed strongly opposing views in the House of Commons regarding the positives of Bradford City of Culture and the economic growth it is expected to generate.

In the parliamentary session of questions to Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Anna Dixon, MP for the Shipley constituency, asked about the economic implications for Bradford as a result of City of Culture, saying: “This is a fantastic opportunity to show off the creative talent of our wider district, including the Shipley constituency, and it could be the springboard for unleashing the economic potential of our city and area, which for too long has been unrecognized.

“Can the Secretary of State assure me that the Government will help to secure the legacy of Bradford 2025 and support our creative industries to fuel economic growth?”

Lisa Nandy responded: “I am sick and tired of seeing jobs created in parts of the country where children just down the road can no more dream of going to the moon than of getting those jobs.

“That is why we are investing in young people and the next generation so that they can become the storytellers of the next chapter of this country.”

Directly following this, Robbie Moore MP said to the Culture Secretary: “The Centre for Cities says that the Government have massively overstated the economic benefit that being the city of culture brings. In the interests of transparency, will the Secretary of State release the impact assessment that was made to reach the £700 million figure and the job growth that they say will be created?

To which Ms. Nandy replied: “As the hon. Gentleman should know the impact assessment was done under the last Government.

“I am slightly confused: is he against the city of culture, or does he just think that Bradford does not have a full contribution to make to this country’s cultural life? We believe in Bradford.

“We believe in its people, its history, its heritage and what it can contribute to the UK in the future.”