MPs sign Commons motion to back Birmingham City of Culture bid
MPs from across the Midlands have signed up to a House of Commons motion backing Birmingham’s City of Culture bid.
In the last few days before Parliament is dissolved for the General Election, 23 MPs have shown their support for Birmingham’s bid to be the UK’s first City of Culture in 2013.
MPs from Birmingham, West Bromwich, Walsall, Tamworth and Coventry have so far put their name to the Early Day Motion.
And support for the city has also come from West Yorkshire – backing Birmingham’s bid ahead of South Yorkshire finalists Sheffield.
Birmingham is among four shortlisted for the prestigious title, but won’t know until the summer if it has beat off competition from rivals Derry, Norwich and Sheffield to take the crown.
Also backing the bid are MPs from Nottinghamshire, Bedfordshire and two MPs representing voters in North London.
The Early Day Motion states: “That this House notes that Birmingham – city of Tolkien and Sir Simon Rattle, the Birmingham Royal Ballet and UB40 – is and always has been a great city of culture; and believes that it should be recognised as such when the UK’s first official City of Culture is announced later this year.”
Winning the title could see Birmingham playing host to events included the Turner Prize, Sports Personality of the Year plus a new star-studded festival to rival the Edinburgh Fringe
Sharon Lea, strategic director, environment and culture, said: “Given how much MPs have on their agendas at present – completing outstanding business in the Commons before embarking upon their election campaigns next week – the fact that so many are taking the time to show their support for the bid is fantastic.
“That the support is coming from not only Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, but also from much further afield including Yorkshire –home to a rival bidding city no less – is also an important signal that Birmingham is widely considered the most deserving choice.”
