Image credit: Freia Turland Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of England, has backed the government’s progress in strengthening the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU).
Later today, the Mayor will attend a business reception at 10 Downing Street, held alongside the UK-EU Summit, while on her way to represent the region at a major investment conference in Leeds.
Helen has particularly welcomed developing plans for a new youth mobility scheme with European countries – mirroring more than a dozen successful agreements that the UK already has including with countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of England, said:
“The West of England is proud of our strong economic and cultural links with Europe and the wider world. The Prime Minister’s new deal with the EU, our closest and largest trading partner, will bring more exciting opportunities for growth and investment here at home. It will unlock more jobs for the West of England and strengthen exports for our farmers and firms. I am looking forward to meeting with business leaders from across the continent today in Downing Street and starting to bang the drum for our part of the world.
“As someone lucky enough to study in Europe through the Erasmus scheme, as the first person in my family to go to university, I remain deeply grateful for a year spent immersing myself in another culture. I know first-hand just how valuable similar opportunities could be for more young people from the West. It will be the chance of a lifetime for them, and for us – when they bring back all that they learn.
“Many EU citizens have settled status in cities like Bristol and Bath. I’m proud of their contribution to life here and that they now call our region home. Though the youth mobility scheme will be time limited, anyone who sees the Best of the West will be unable to resist returning to visit our countryside, towns, villages, and cities, particularly after forming lifelong friendships and connections. I hope that we will provide the warmest of welcomes and, I’m sure, through this scheme, help spread the West Country burr across Europe.”
According to the Office of National Statistics, the West of England has the highest proportion of people aged between 15 and 40 years old of any combined authority area in the country.
The Mayor spent a year at the University of Málaga while studying European Studies and Spanish at Liverpool John Moores University.
