Warren Bradley pulls out of key Euro delegation

Feb 24 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL council leader Warren Bradley has pulled out of a delegation to represent the city at the world’s biggest property and regeneration event.

In a letter to business leaders, seen by the Daily Post, Cllr Bradley blamed “political pressure” for his decision not to attend this year’s Mipim convention in Cannes on the French Riviera next month.

Writing to sponsors and partners of Liverpool’s Mipim (Marché International des Professionnels d’Immobilier) delegation he apologised, saying the political pressure and “attacks” in the media were putting a strain on his family life.

Last night business leaders privately expressed dismay at the letter and concern at the impact his non-attendance could have on Liverpool’s ability to sell itself in its showcase year.

Senior council sources said they were concerned the move might be seen as a sign of weakness at a time when Cllr Bradley’s leadership is under intense pressure.

Labour opposition leader Joe Anderson said Cllr Bradley was trying to play the “violin card” in a bid for sympathy.

Last night, the city council insisted the event would be a success.

A spokesman said: “We have every confidence that our presence at the event will be a major success and reap huge rewards for the city.”

Mipim is Europe’s property and regeneration event of the year. Deals worth tens of mill-ions of pounds are negotiated.

Attendance is seen as key to driving inward investment, and this year’s delegation is Liverpool’s biggest ever.

The Daily Post understands Liverpool FC co-owner Tom Hicks is due to speak there about regeneration in the city.

Last year, Mipim was attended by more than 25,000 people from 74 countries. The city has previously secured a number of key deals there.

Cllr Bradley is currently the subject of two Standards Board investigations into the way he dealt with former Culture Company chief executive Jason Harborow and allegations that he conspired to remove him.

Earlier this month, he faced calls to resign from promi-nent city solicitor Rex Makin after the authority was labelled the country’s worst by the Audit Commission.

Last night, Cllr Bradley said: “I am acutely aware that the council has to make some very difficult decisions around the budget this year and I am mindful that my attendance at Mipim is not absolutely essential.”

Mipim runs from March 11-14 – starting six days after the council sets its budget, which currently has a £60m hole.

He added: “I personally do not believe it would be right for me to be spending time abroad at an event the city council is already well represented at, when at the same time we are having to look closely at spending in crucial areas that affect the most vulnerable in Liverpool.

“It would send out completely the wrong message to the people I serve as council leader and I would be extremely uncomfortable.

“In addition to the reasons outlined in my letter, the event also clashes with a major conference in the city which I believe it is vitally important I attend.”

Labour deputy leader Cllr Paul Brant said: “It's astonishing the leader of the council is being buffeted round by criticism in the media.

“If he believes spending considerable sums for councillors and others to fly out to the south of France are good value, he should have the courage to defend his views. Other senior Lib-Dems are going to the event.

“Liverpool’s reputation has been damaged enough by the Lib-Dems’ behaviour over the past years, now it seems that we are to add ‘weak leader-ship’ to the list of their faults.

“It’s no wonder many business leaders now say it’s time for a change.”

A Liverpool council spokesman said: “Senior representatives including chief executive Colin Hilton and Jim Gill and Mike Parker from the new Liverpool Vision will be present to sell the city to major investors and talk about the incredible renaissance which Liverpool is currently enjoying.”

JOHN DOWNES,  managing director of  property development  company Langtree,  which is one of  Liverpool’s partners at  the event, said: “It is  always advantageous to  have the main men there  when you are trying to  promote anything,  people always want to  meet the top man.

“But if he’s got  personal circumstances  that mean he can’t be  there, then that’s  understandable.

“I think he’s very good,  he promotes the city very  well from a business  point of view.”

But Frank McKenna,  chairman of lobby group  Downtown Liverpool in  Business, said: “We  would urge him to re- think as 2008 is a  particularly important  year when the city needs  to be waving its flag in  front of the key players.

“Mipim gives the city  such a huge opportunity  to put itself in the shop  window and we need the  council leader and  council chief executive  to be there.

“As somebody who  was involved in politics  for 12 years, I had bricks  thrown at me and you  have just got to handle  the rough and tumble of  political life.”

Mark Basnett, director  of investment at The  Mersey Partnership  (TMP) said: “It’s a matter  for the leader of the  council.

“Partners, including  TMP, promoting Liverpool City Region at  Mipim have a very strong  proposition to take to the  event and showcase to  investors and developers  from all over the world.”

davidbartlett