Area business leaders meet chancellor

Boston MP Matt Warman, was joined by Jonathan Moses, Director at Blue Anchor Leisure in Skegness, TH Clements in Benington managing director Chris Gedney, and Chestnut Homes managing director David Newton, at a reception at Number 11 Downing Street.

The aim was to give the guests, including selected MPs and guests from across the Midlands, a chance to put their views to George Osborne ahead of the summer budget.

A key issue raised was infrastructure, including a bypass for Boston – which ‘would help ease congestion, unlock new areas for business and housing developments and provide a direct route to coastal resorts such as Skegness’.

Mr Gedney said: “A bypass around Boston will be highly beneficial for local agricultural businesses like TH Clements, as it will provide a more direct route for us to distribute products, saving lorries from having to travel through Boston town centre.”

Mr Newtonsaid he was ‘delighted’ to have been invited to the event, adding: “We were able to discuss the needs of Lincolnshire in terms of improved road infrastructure, flood defences and general inward investment.

“I was also pleased to have the opportunity to press home the particular needs of the housebuilding sector in the county.”

Jonathan Moses said, “Skegness is among the most visited seaside resorts in the UK, but the only one without a nearby major road or motorway. Ensuring that visitors to Skegness and those travelling here for work can reach the area as quickly and smoothly as possible is essential to the continued success of the local coastal economy, and it was good to highlight this among other issues to the Chancellor.”

Mr Warman said he was pleased to invite the businesses to the event and praised the chancellor for listening to their views.

He added: “I will continue to work with both local and central government to help move the right projects forward, to the benefit of both residents and businesses in our constituency when it comes to broadband, new homes and better infrastructure.

“I want constituents to know that I am on their side when it comes to securing the support our area needs.”

The event above followed a recent visit to the area by Chancellor George Osborne to raise funds for Boston and Skegness Conservatives.

Mr Osborne attended a function at the Newark Showground recently, which saw more than 500 party members, including MPs from across the East Midlands, raise more than£10,000 towards the coffers.

The Chancellor spoke about politics in Westminster and the global economic situation in the UK.

He praised the contribution he said Mr Warman had made in Parliament on a range of issues since his election, and the work of local activists who had supported the party’s election efforts.

Mr Warman said: “It was great to see so much support for MPs from across the East Midlands, and I am grateful to the Chancellor for taking the time to help us raise extra money for our local associations.

“We had an enjoyable evening, and the funds raised will really help towards our campaigns for re-election in 2020, as well as campaigns to support our county councillors and Marc Jones’s bid to become Lincolnshire’s next Police and Crime Commissioner.”