Earlier this week I visited the Healey exhibition at the Market Hall Museum in Warwick. Donald Healey’s legacy forms an essential part of Warwick’s history. His company produced some of the finest sports cars ever and I am grateful to Warwickshire County Council and the museum for staging such an important and timely exhibition reminding us of Warwick’s role in the West Midlands automotive industry. Seeing the original Healeys parked up outside the museum was a real joy and I hope it will cement the image of his company’s world-class work in the minds of a new generation of our residents. I encourage anyone interested in our local automotive history to book a visit.
The automotive industry is, of course, so important to our local area’s economy. That’s why I’ve been chairing the All-Party Parliamentary Group on electric vehicles and leading the argument in parliament for the shift towards zero-emission vehicles. Transport accounts for the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK, around 34 per cent of all emissions, and reductions in this area have been slow. I was therefore disappointed that there wasn’t more focus on this in the Queen’s Speech last week. Our automotive industry desperately needs a plan to work towards and real investment is needed in charging infrastructure and consumer incentives to ensure that owning an electric vehicle is cheaper and easier than a petrol or diesel alternative.
Finally, on Saturday I marked the centenary of the founding of the Royal British Legion by attending a ceremony alongside members of the Warwick Branch and Mayor of Warwick Terry Morris. It’s humbling to reflect on the amazing work they’ve been doing for so long, supporting our veterans and keeping the flame of remembrance alive in our local community. Thanks to all their volunteers and please do consider donating to their cause or becoming a member of the branch.
MP Matt Western
