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Building Britain's Future

Thank you, Mr. Taylor. The Minister reminded us that Parliament met here in 1356. May I remind him of Nottingham’s radical history? Robin Hood, a man with whom you will identify, Mr. Taylor, took from the rich and gave to the poor—he was a real, redistributional socialist. The civil war started here, with the royal standard being raised 300 yards away at Standard hill. Nottingham was also the home of the Luddites, who were supported by another romantic hero, Lord Byron. Finally, Labour has been in control in this chamber since 1988—for 21 years—so let me say happy birthday to the Labour-controlled city council. Part of the underlying debate today has been about the fiscal stimulus, and the debate about it will continue into the future. In a time of international financial crisis, do we need a stimulus? On what scale should it be? How far into the future will we need it? The issue will turn out to be a key dividing line, and those who advocate reducing the fiscal stimulus will do the east midlands economy no good. I want to focus for a few moments on some of the infrastructure that the Government’s fiscal stimulus has promoted. The Minister mentioned the widening of the A46 between Newark and Widmerpool. The scheme has been brought forward and is now on the stocks, being built as we speak and creating new jobs. The Minister also mentioned lines 2 and 3 of the Nottingham Express Transit tram system, which was opposed locally by the Conservatives. The scheme will help to get rid of congestion in Greater Nottingham and provide construction jobs and new futures for people in the area.