Peter Fortune MP's latest column in the News Shopper.
Last month, I had the privilege of welcoming businesses from across Bromley to the House of Commons for an Opportunity Bromley reception. This was about more than just a single evening; it was about making a clear statement that Bromley is confident and ready for the next chapter of growth.
Those who joined us represented the very best of our local economy, from major employers to small and medium-sized enterprises that form the backbone of our communities. They reflect that business is not simply part of Bromley’s story, it is central to it.
Bromley’s businesses provide jobs for thousands of local people. They invest in skills, create opportunities for young people, support local supply chains and contribute to our borough’s community on a daily basis.
Bromley has a unique combination of scale and quality of life, strategically positioned close enough to central London, yet with the space, talent and environment that allow businesses to grow. It is this balance that makes Bromley such an attractive place to start, relocate or expand a company.
But ambition alone is not enough and Bromley’s businesses, like businesses up and down the country, have been facing attack after attack from this Labour Government. The combination of Labour’s jobs tax and skyrocketing business rates leave our local economy in a perilous state. I am determined not to allow this government to destroy Bromley by destroying its businesses.
Here in Bromley, we are lucky enough to have a Conservative-led council fighting to ensure our local area can go from strength to strength. Empowering business to take the next steps to grow and thrive.
With Bromley’s council elections fast approaching local residents have a choice. To vote in Labour and allow them to strangle businesses to death and lump residents with huge increases in council tax. Throw the dice and allow Reform with all their inexperience to take the reins. Or to stick with the Conservative Party. The party that has kept council tax lower than Reform-led Kent, Labour-led Lewisham and Lib Dem-run Sutton. The Party that stands up for our local economy and works with business to ensure our borough thrives.
Opportunity Bromley is a perfect example of what the Conservatives achieve. It is about partnership between the public and private sectors, about presenting a clear and compelling investment proposition, and about turning interest into real jobs and growth for local people.
Too often, outer London boroughs are overlooked, yet places like Bromley are critical to London’s future prosperity. We have the talent, the connectivity and the entrepreneurial spirit that can help drive London’s growth in a more balanced and sustainable way.
Opportunity Bromley’s message is simple Bromley is open for business, Bromley is ambitious for investment, for innovation and for opportunity for our residents.
This is what the Conservatives deliver for our borough. Bromley is already a great place to live, work, start a business and raise a family. Let’s not throw that away.
