PRESS RELEASE: EMBARGO UNTIL 22:30 ON THE 30TH OF DECEMBER
Andy Street CBE has been knighted for services to politics.
We are delighted to see one of our most distinguished patrons, Sir Andy Street CBE, recognised in the New Year’s Honours.
Sir Andy Street CBE was elected as the Conservative Metro Mayor for the West Midlands on a narrow majority, after an impressive business career. Andy’s business career was the source of inspiration for many Conservatives, as Sir Andy, who joined John Lewis as a trainee in 1985, progressed through the business until eventually becoming its Managing Director. In this time, Andy propelled John Lewis to new heights, doubling the number of stores and increasing sales by over 50% despite the 2007-2009 recession.
This same track record of delivery helped Andy to turn this narrow majority into a landslide – a reward for years of delivery and hard work in the West Midlands. Andy is renowned for this work ethic, and relentless drive to deliver for the people of the west Midlands, and this delivery can be seen in the £10 Billion he was able to secure for the west Midlands as well as the best Commonwealth games ever in 2022 delivered under Budget. In 2024, Andy lost his third election by just 0.3% of the vote – but left the role having transformed the city and the wider region.
Andy Street has been a steadfast supporter of the LGBT+ Conservatives and his Conservative Party colleagues in the West Midlands, as well as supportive on some of our biggest campaigns, including the expansion of HIV Opt Out Testing to A&Es in the West Midlands. We are thrilled to see his hard work and dedication acknowledged.
Arise Sir Andy, you have been a champion of the Conservative Party in the West Midlands, delivered for your city and shown the power of conservatism – through jobs created, housing built and economic growth.
Responding to the knighthood announced in tomorrow’s Gazette, our Chairman, Luke Robert Black, responded by saying: “I am delighted to see years of hard work and drive rewarded for Andy – one of our longest supporting patrons of the LGBT+ Conservatives. Despite being told the Conservatives couldn’t win, Andy defied the naysayers and won a stunning victory in 2017. Four years of relentless high standards, a strong work ethic and a love for the West Midlands was rewarded in 2021 when Andy tuned a narrow victory into a landslide – a testament to his hard work. Each time I go back to the West Midlands I see the direct impact of Andy’s work – in the transport, in the houses built and the dynamic businesses thriving in this region. Politically, Andy has also really helped to put the West Midlands on the map for the Conservatives, driving successive electoral successes throughout the region and always supporting brilliant Conservatives in the West Midlands. Well done Andy, this is richly deserved”.
Responding the to knighthood announced, Vice-Chair for Membership and former 2024 Conservative candidate for Derby South, Jamie Mulhall, said: “It is fantastic to see that Andy Street be being recognised for all his incredible hard work during his tenure as Mayor of the West Midlands with a knighthood. Andy is a man that knows how to deliver, and delivery is exactly what he did during his time as Mayor of the West Midlands. So, whether it was bringing the best Commonwealth Games ever and under-budget to Birmingham in 2022, securing 10 Billion from central government, started construction of 6 new stations, pioneering light rail, securing £650m to build on brownfield sites, Andy’s achievements and record of delivering for the people of the West Midlands speak for themselves. A well-deserved Knighthood for the best Mayor the West Midlands has ever had. Well Done Andy Street”.
The Conservative MP Rt. Hon. Wendy Morton added "I am delighted that Andy Street has been awarded a Knighthood. I have known Andy for nearly a decade, he has been a dedicated and diligent public servant and Mayor of the West Midlands, with a relentless focus on delivering for my constituency in Aldridge-Brownhills and the wider West Midlands. His work ethic is unmatched and what he has delivered for our region in his time as Mayor speaks for itself. This honour is well deserved and acknowledges Andy’s perseverance, drive, energy and determination to deliver, deliver and deliver again."
Responding to the knighthood announced in tomorrow's Gazette, the Conservative Shadow Culture Secretary and LGBT+ Conservatives patron Rt. Hon. Stuart Andrew MP said: "The West Midlands is better off for having Andy Street CBE as its Conservative Mayor for eight years. The city centre and surrounding towns look unrecognisable as Andy's focus on supporting businesses, encouraging investment, building transport and houses has delivered for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region. Generations to come will benefit from the stations built, light rail advanced, business and hospitality growth and careful restoration of public spaces under his tenure. Andy also hosted a fantastic Commonwealth Games - putting the region on the world stage and showcasing the best of British sport. This award is richly deserved to one of the Conservative Party's hardest working leaders - well done Andy".
