Wigan MP Lisa Nandy's Silicon Valley research

Wigan's MP has made a trip state-side in an attempt to boost green energy employment chances for the borough.
Silicon Valley in CaliforniaSilicon Valley in California
Silicon Valley in California

With the Labour Party remaining heavily entrenched in a leadership dispute, former shadow cabinet minister Lisa Nandy is currently visiting “key investors” in California’s Silicon Valley.

Ms Nandy said the borough is “well placed” to take advantage of green energy schemes because of the legacy of the town’s mining tradition.

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As an outspoken supporter of renewable energy projects, the trip is thought to have been organised because it came under the umbrella of Ms Nandy’s former energy and climate change brief in the shadow cabinet.

The 36-year-old resigned that post last month citing concerns over the leadership of leader Jeremy Corbyn and has faced criticism from trade union members.

Speaking ahead of the trip, which comes a week before parliamentarians break for the summer recess, Ms Nandy said: “In recent years the green economy has grown six times faster than the economy as a whole. Our proud mining history has given us a legacy of technical and engineering skills that make us well placed to capitalise on the clean energy boom. This town powered Britain through the last 100 years, and with the right investment we could power Britain through the next.

“We cannot allow reckless government cuts to renewable energy to harm the prospects of the next generation. I’m meeting with investors and pioneers in Silicon Valley because I’m determined that young people in towns like Wigan will be not just building, but designing the clean energy systems of the future.”

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The Silicon Valley region in the United States is the home of many of the world’s largest high-technology firms and is given its name from the silicon used to create computer chips.

Ms Nandy said there had been recent growth in the renewable energy sector and Wigan is well-placed to drive future plans.

She added: “With little action from Government, Wigan’s pro-active approach to attracting investment and securing the jobs of the future will be critical to our success. I’m looking forward to meeting city leaders who have used their powers to attract investment.”