| A row has erupted over discussions to bring Warwickshire into the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
Council bosses in the county are to hold discussions about the possibility of linking up with the seven authorities from the urban West Midlands.
But the proposal is not popular with everyone, amid suggestions it is merely a political ploy to keep Mayor Andy Street in his role, as Warwickshire would likely deliver more Conservative votes.
Mr Street has denied this the case and says it is nothing to do with him but for the councillors of Warwickshire to decide. He has said he supports the move, as he wants the WMCA to benefit as many areas as possible.
But there are suspicions among Labour council leaders about the motivations behind the move, and Coventry's leader even went as far to suggest the city would consider its future in the WMCA should Warwickshire be forced upon it.
Council leaders currently have a veto over such plans and Labour would have the balance of power as things stand. There have been suggestions the Government could overrule the Labour councils, however, which would likely spark an even greater rift.
Warwickshire Council bosses have said they plan to discuss the merits of joining the WMCA before deciding whether to make a formal application.
Mr Street's Labour rival at next year's election, Richard Parker, said: "It's now clear that Andy Street is leading talks to bring Warwickshire and its districts into the West Midlands Combined Authority. Under new powers he will be able to do this without the approval of West Midlands council leaders.
"This is undemocratic, undermines the purpose of the West Midlands Combined Authority and is wrong. Andy Street needs to focus on delivering for the people of the region - not on a Trump-like attempt to game the next election."
Mr Street hit back and said it will be for Warwickshire to decide, and that he will have nothing to do with the process. |
