‘Be more like a wolf pack’ – MPs urged to fight for Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire MPs must be “more like a wolf pack” to secure funding, a senior councillor has said.

At a meeting highlighting A1 safety in Marston this month, Lincolnshire County Councillor Richard Davies (Con) criticised Lincolnshire MPs for not working effectively together compared to MPs in other regions.

He said Lincolnshire MPs knew the region’s issues, citing the A1 as an example.

However, he said Leicestershire MPs unite across party lines for infrastructure, but Lincolnshire MPs do not.

He said Leicestershire MPs "come to meetings, they meet on a regular basis, and they present a really solid pitch [to national decision-makers]”.

In contrast, he suggested Lincolnshire MPs have not been as proactive in fighting for the region's infrastructure needs over the past 25 to 30 years.

Davies used the term "wolf pack" to describe how MPs should work together, implying they should be a united, aggressive force in advocating for local funding and infrastructure improvements, which he believes Lincolnshire MPs have failed to do.

"We've tried everything to get them to hit hard and fight as a bit of a wolf pack and start knocking on people's doors for 25 to 30 years, and they haven't done it, which is why Lincolnshire is underfunded, as is the East Midlands, compared to national figures," he said.

A coordinated message and pressure, even with a large government majority, could secure more resources, he said.

Coun Davies said this approach works elsewhere and Lincolnshire MPs should adopt it, regardless of party lines.

Lincolnshire MPs and neighbouring MPs, including Alicia Kearns and Robert Jenrick, were asked for comment.

A spokesperson for Boston and Skegness Reform MP Richard Tice’s office said the party “is addressing crucial local issues such as police funding, pylons, roads and transport, flood defences, and more”.

“With the upcoming mayoralty and county council elections in May, we are confident that a victory will significantly accelerate progress, bringing much-needed improvements to the county,” the spokesperson said.

“Richard is always eager to collaborate with fellow Lincolnshire MPs to secure the necessary funding and infrastructure, ensuring that the county receives the support it deserves."

Lincoln Labour MP Hamish Falconer said: “Lincolnshire did not get a good deal over the last 14 years.

“It's frustrating to me that, for example, some of the upgrades to the A46 that were started by the last Labour government seemed to go particularly slowly during the Conservative government, despite the fact it is of central importance to Lincoln and Lincolnshire.

“So I don't think that Lincolnshire got a good deal under the last lot.

“I wasn't an MP at the time, so it's difficult to know, but it's striking that a Conservative councillor thinks that the Conservative MPs at the time could have coordinated more closely.

“Anyone who knows me in Parliament would say that I join meetings with Lincolnshire MPs, I coordinate closely with Lincolnshire MPs, even though we're not in the same party, because my first responsibility is to the City of Lincoln, not to party politics. I’m always trying to be practical.

“But Mr Davies is not wrong in saying that, in terms of fighting for what Lincolnshire needs, there has been a long period where it hasn't been done effectively.”

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