The MP whose constituency includes the site of the planned Universal theme park has questioned why he was not invited to a government announcement about the project.
On Wednesday (3 June), Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited the site of the proposed Universal United Kingdom Resort in Bedfordshire alongside Universal executives to mark the next stage of the £6bn development.
But Mid Bedfordshire MP Blake Stephenson said he had not been invited to attend.
In a statement, the Conservative MP said: “As I am the one working with local communities to ensure that we get this project right for our area, it is obviously disappointing that the Chancellor chose to invite a number of Labour Members of Parliament to the announcement in Stewartby and not the local Member of Parliament.
“The Government has taken a similarly partisan approach to previous announcements on this project.”
Mr Stephenson said he had not received details of the Government’s investment plans before the announcement.
“On this occasion, I have yet to receive so much as a letter outlining the detail of the Government’s investment and I will be raising this with the Chancellor,” he said.
“The devil is in the detail and passing by to announce public money is being spent without any co-ordination with the local representative is disappointing.”
The Universal United Kingdom Resort is planned for the former brickworks site near Stewartby and is expected to include a theme park, hotel, retail, dining and entertainment facilities.
According to Universal, the project is expected to generate nearly £50bn in economic benefit and create thousands of jobs.
Still supportive
Read: The eyes of the world are now on Bedford as Universal United Kingdom Resort moves forward
Despite his criticism, Mr Stephenson said he remained supportive of the development.
“That being said, I’ll continue to work to ensure that our communities are listened to and I’ll continue to work with the Government and colleagues of all parties to make sure we get this right for the people of Mid Bedfordshire,” he said.
“I don’t think any of us should be seeking to turn what is a huge economic opportunity for our area – and for the whole country – into a party political battle.”
Mohammad Yasin, the Labour MP for the neighbouring Bedford constituency, was invited, but was unable to attend.
HM Treasury has been approached for comment.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
