The Hereford Times says: MAKE no mistake, MP Jesse Norman's accusations that the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is deliberately stalling efforts to launch a new university in Hereford are incendiary.
It is rare for a Conservative politician, let alone a Treasury minister, to be so scathing about a LEP, which is a powerful force for channelling and unlocking investment.
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Yet here he is accusing its members of actively undermining the university project.
The LEP rejects his criticism, says it has enthusiastically supported the project, and in the last nine months alone has approved £8 million of public funding for it.
But clearly there must be something profoundly amiss for an MP and public body of this stature to clash so publicly.
Unfortunately, it is difficult for this newspaper, or any other media organisation, to shine a light on the discussions that have brought about this falling out.
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LEP meetings are, controversially, closed to the Press and public (though the minutes are released afterwards). It means negotiations that concern the delivery of millions of pounds of your money are subject to little scrutiny.
But of one thing we are certain. The planned new university will transform Hereford and the wider region, unleashing a torrent of vitality and enterprise. We will stand firm with Mr Norman in challenging obstacles to its success.
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