Tories focused on more than Brexit, say senior ministers
Two cabinet ministers have denied the Conservative election campaign will be focused solely on Brexit - but insisted it was crucial to "get it done" so the country can move onto other issues.
The Tories launched their election campaign on Wednesday night under the slogan "Get Brexit Done" and the EU exit is seen by many as the issue which is likely to shape the election, despite attempts by Labour to switch the conversation to the NHS, schools and public services.
Gavin Williamson and Matt Hancock told the Express & Star voters in the West Midlands were fed-up of hearing about Brexit, but claimed that was why they needed to back Boris Johnson.
Health Secretary Mr Hancock the region would be crucial to deciding the outcome of the December election, with several marginal seats being targeted by both of the main parties.
He said he believed attitudes were changing in a region where there has traditionally been large support for Labour.
Mr Williamson, Education Secretary and Parliamentary candidate for South Staffordshire, said: "Brexit is an issue that has dominated public discord over the last few years and that’s why we want to get it done.
"Because there’s so many other things that we need to be focused on as well, whether that is delivering more money for every single one of our schools, which we’re doing, whether it’s putting more money into the health service, which we’re doing, whether it’s actually putting more police officers onto our streets.
"That is what we’re going to do because people want to be talking about issues other than Brexit but he (Mr Johnson) is the only party leader that is clear that he will get Brexit done, clear it out, get it out of the way so that we can then be doing all the other things that are so important to my constituents’ families."
Mr Hancock agreed that it was time to move on from Brexit.
He said: "The thing about Brexit, and I can tell you this as Health Secretary, it’s got in the way of all the other things like the NHS and schools and crime, get on and debate, so getting Brexit done is about removing that blockage in Parliament to be able to move things forward."
The Health Secretary said he believed the Tories' message "resonates" with many in the Black Country who have previously voted Labour.
He said: "I think the West Midlands is changing. The political debate in this area is going to be absolutely critical.
"We’re seeing more and more people across the West Midlands coming towards the Conservative Party because the message of getting Brexit done and moving the country forward really resonates.
"There are marginal seats right across the West Midlands who in the past have just voted Labour and are increasingly turning to the Conservatives."
