TORY big hitter and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson MP visited the News to declare Dudley is the crucial battleground in Thursday's West Midlands Mayoral Election.
The former Mayor of London toured the newsroom with Conservative mayoral candidate Andy Street and urged everyone to get out and vote no matter who they support.
He said: “Dudley is incredibly important in the mayoral election and in the General Election.
“Dudley is the kind of place that will benefit hugely from Andy Street being voted as Mayor of the West Midlands.”
He added: “The story can be very exciting, I see as Foreign Secretary goods made in the West Midlands all over the world, and Andy Street can be a great champion for this region.”
The former journalist was in full campaign mode beating the drum for the Conservatives.
He brushed aside questions about the MPs who could still face prosecution over expenses irregularities during the 2015 General Election, which could include Dudley South Conservative MP Mike Wood (pictured below with Boris Johnson).
He said: “Mike Wood MP is a fantastic candidate, he is a bit of a hero, showing real guts to come back from his illness and get to the House of Commons.
“I believe passionately that turnout needs to be huge for both elections.
“Turnout was big for Brexit and to get Brexit done properly then we need to give the Prime Minister the mandate she needs.
“This part of the country voted for Brexit and I think in the long run that will be the right decision.”
Former John Lewis boss Mr Street (pictured below with Boris Johnson) said: “It means a great deal that Boris Johnson has come to Dudley to campaign with me.
“Because Boris was a great Mayor or London and showed what a figurehead can do for a city around the world and that is what I have got to do if I am elected.”
Asked if he will win, Mr Street said: “I am quietly confident but never complacent.”
Voters will go to the polls across Birmingham, Solihull, Sandwell, Dudley and Wolverhampton on Thursday May 4 to vote in the first ever election of a West Midlands Mayor.
The job will involve leading the West Midlands Combined Authority and improving the region’s transport, skills, housing and job creation.
Mr Street is standing against Labour’s Sion Simon, Beverley Nielsen (Liberal Democrat), James Burn (Green), Pete Durnell (UKIP), and Graham Stevenson (Communist).
Since this story was published - the CPS has confirmed Mike Wood, and other Tory candidates accused of overspending in the 2015 General Election, will not face criminal charges. Click here to read more on this.
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