Minister for creative industries to step down
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Sion Simon, the labour MP for Erdington and minister for the creative industries, has confirmed this week he's to leave Parliament at the general election. In a statement on his website, Mr Simon announced plans to stand for Mayor of Birmingham if legislation introducing elected mayors to British cities was passed.
'After nine years in Parliament (and a Minister in two departments), it has become clear to me that the answers to Birmingham's problems do not lie in Westminster and Whitehall. We need to take back control of our own city,' Simon said.
'We need strong, dynamic leadership with streamlined decision-making powers. The current 19th century arrangements give us neither. The City Council, as an institution, is not fit for purpose in the 21st century.'
He continued, 'I am convinced that elected Mayors should and will be introduced for our major cities in the next Parliament, whoever is in government. When they are I will put myself forward for consideration as the Labour candidate.'
Simon is the second minister to stand down from a post dealing with the UK's digital future. Lord Stephen Carter, the author of June 2009's Digital Britain report, announced his departure last year. The Digital Economy Bill, which includes some of Carter's recommendations, is currently at the committee stage in the House of Lords ahead of a vote later in the year.
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