Shadow Industry Minister Iain Wright MP set out his party’s commitment to the continuation of successful automotive policies and institutions at the Labour Party Conference today.
Speaking at an SMMT breakfast as part of the event in Manchester, Mr. Wright said that The Advanced Propulsion Centre, Automotive Investment Organisation and the Automotive Council would all continue under a Labour government.
The Minister also outlined Labour’s support for SMMT’s five manifesto priorities for next year’s General Election:
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Commitment to long-term industrial strategy
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Creating the right conditions for investment
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Positioning the UK as a global leader on innovation
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Supporting ultra-low emission vehicles and a strong, sustainable vehicle market
- Maintaining a strong UK voice in Europe
Mr. Wright acknowledged that key issues need to be addressed if the UK automotive sector is to be successful in the future – particularly in skills, supply chain and innovation. In the latter area, he questioned whether the landscape could be more streamlined to help UK businesses realise their potential.
As party conference season gets into full swing, SMMT will be hosting events at the Conservative Party Conference next Tuesday (30 September) and at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference on Tuesday 7 October.