Benyon backs Reading in city status bid
Newbury MP, Richard Benyon, said it would benefit the whole of Berkshire for Reading to become a city
THE MP for Newbury, Richard Benyon, has backed Reading's bid to become the UK's newest city.
Following a debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday, June 7, led by Reading West MP Alok Sharma, Mr Benyon said he was fully behind the town's bid to become a city as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and said he could see only benefits for the whole of Berkshire.
“Berkshire is one of the few counties that doesn't have a city, it is our county town,” he said.
“It is a hub and has a very vibrant economy and I think it would enhance the county to have it as a city.”
During the debate, Wokingham MP John Redwood and Henley MP John Howell offered support but raised concerns over the perceived “aggressive” nature of Reading's expansion in recent years and sought assurances any bid would not eat into their constituency boundaries.
Cabinet Office minister Mark Harper responded to say that Reading's bid was based on existing local authority boundaries and would not cause the town to expand into neighbouring constituencies, a reply which Mr Benyon welcomed.
“I was very pleased to hear the minister's remarks following the debate that the current boundaries would be protected and that city status would not come with ambitions to widen any boundaries,” he said.
He went on to say Reading's rapid expansion over the last 30 years created a need for greater status through improved infrastructure and more civic activities.
After the debate Mr Sharma said: “I am very pleased to have had an opportunity to highlight Reading's excellent bid and powerful case for city status. All of us supporting Reading's bid need to do all we can to keep up the town's profile over the coming months.”
Bookmakers have made Reading the favourite to receive the honour out of the 26 entries seeking city status.
Preston, Stirling, Newport, Lisburn and Newry were the last cities created in 2002 to mark the Golden Jubilee.
