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Brussels calling for Bristol mayor
Brexit, and how the Government will manage the UK’s divorce from the EU, has had both leavers and remainers tearing their hair out in frustration.
Now, Bristol’s mayor is wading into talks as he heads to Brussels on Monday, February 19 with a delegation of Core City leaders to ensure regional voices are heard.
In a meeting with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier, Marvin Rees will seek to forge a complementary relationship with Europe, with discussions focussing on maintaining economic links and taking a collaborative approach on issues such as air quality and health.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Rees said: “Bristol is an international city. People speak 91 languages, come from 187 countries, and practice at least 45 religions.
“Our diversity is an asset which we need to build on – and strengthening our dialogue with Europe is part of that fundamental work.
“However, as negotiations progress we must be sure that UK cities such as Bristol have strong relationships within Europe and that our voice is heard. We will be calling on UK government to lend a similarly listening ear.
“All around the world, cities are stepping up to offer governance at a more local level, closer to the people it serves. We will be looking at how we continue that work in Europe to collaborate on solving common city challenges and to strengthen economic and research ties.”
The majority in Bristol voted to remain in the EU
The majority in Bristol voted to remain in the EU and all four of the city’s MPs are now remainers after Labour’s Darren Jones sensationally ousted Tory Charlotte Leslie, who campaigned for Britain to leave the EU, in June 2017.
Jones is outspoken in his opposition to Brexit and has spoken of his fears for his constituency if the UK ends up with a bad deal.
Bristol has a higher than average share of exports to the EU (88 per cent of all exports) and the top twenty businesses in Bristol with significant trading links into the EU employ 10,000 people in the city.
Representatives will attend the European Commission headquarters with the president of the European cities network, EUROCITIES, meaning roughly 200 urban centres will be represented at the meeting.
The Core Cities group consists of the 10 major UK cities outside London and, between them, they generate 25 per cent of the UK economy and deliver 29 per cent of UK international trade.
The mayor joined with Core City leaders in Westminster in September 2017 to call on the Conservatives to re-balance sovereignty and end “crippling” austerity, but the group failed to get an audience with the Government.
They plan to share the outcome of the Brussels discussion with UK ministers and shadow ministers on their return.
Read more: ‘Bad Brexit deal poses significant risk to Bristol North West’
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