MP addresses Banbury business community

Subjects discussed included balancing growth with net zero targets, the High Street and the new Prime Minister’s approach

Banbury’s MP Victoria Prentis addressed the members of Banbury’s Business Breakfast Club on Thursday morning and opened her Q&A session by revealing that the first two days of the Conservative party conference “hadn’t been the easiest”.   She told members of the business community that in recent years there seemed to be more anger in how people dealt with each other. Mrs Prentis did feel that new Prime Minister Liz Truss had given a good speech on the third day.

The Breakfast Club meeting took place at The Light where Mrs Prentis took questions from those present.  Issues raised included the position the Prime Minister had taken on dealing with groups such as Extinction Rebellion, striking workers, and members of think tanks, who she collectively described as the anti-growth coalition.

The balance between growth and net zero targets was also covered, alongside questions on the ability of the national grid to cope with growing demands.

On the subject of power supplies Mrs Prentis assured the meeting she felt we were in a much better position to avoid blackouts this winter than other European countries.

 A number of people raised the issue of the state of the High Street with examples given of items – such as ladies clothing – which couldn’t be purchased in the town centre.   Mrs Prentis told the meeting that she felt we wouldn’t be returning to the High Street as it had been and saw the future as a mix of town centre housing and hospitality.

After the event Mrs Prentis said: “Over 30 local business individuals were present from across the town.

“It was good to discuss a range of topics with them including the Government’s recent mini-budget and support for businesses this winter.”

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Published: 10/10/2022 08:44am by Banbury FM Newsteam

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