Rishi Sunak promises 'Martyn's Law' on visit to Bury
Political Correspondent Elaine Willcox speaks to Rishi Sunak about Martyn's Law on his visit to the North West.
Rishi Sunak has said he backs a law called for by the mother of a Manchester Arena bombing victim and insists it will progress if he is elected to return to Downing Street.
The Prime Minister was visiting Bury which has one of the most marginal seats in the country with a Conservative majority of one hundred and five.
He was asked about 'Martyn's Law' named after Martyn Hett who died in the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017.
His mother Figen Murray recently walked to Downing Street to demand tighter security at venues across the country, a recommendation in the inquiry report following the terrorist attack.
Mr Sunak previously promised her that the law would be introduced before the summer recess in parliament.
However, due to the general election, Parliament was dissolved this week before the bill was passed.
Mr Sunak said' "We do back it, we've backed it, we've developed the law and it's already been out for formal consultation so we get the legislation exactly right.
"what I've said to Figen is that bill will be introduced to Parliament before Summer recess and the timing of the election means that is exactly what we'll be able to do if I'm re-elected".
In Bury South, the former Conservative MP Christian Wakeford defected to Labour, accusing his party of being incapable of showing leadership.
But Rishi Sunak insists he is the only party leader with any plan.
He said: "We are prepared to take bold action as you can see on National Service, the triple lock plus or indeed a hundred thousand new apprenticeships, so that we can deliver a secure future for everyone, not just here in the North West but across the country."
Rishi Sunak was asked when passengers will see improvements in rail services in NW
The Prime Minister travelled to Burrs Country Park in Bury on a steam train, using the heritage East Lancs Railway.
Our political correspondent put to him that many rail passengers may find the victorian steam train more reliable than the current rail services.
He accepted 'some services' were not good enough and said conversations have already been happening with rail companies to improve them.
When pushed when passengers will see an improvement, the Prime Minister said his decision to scrap HS2 would mean all of the money from that project would be invested in local services.
He said £12 billion pounds of investment has now been 'ring fenced' to improve services from Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.
ITV will be broadcasting the first TV General Election debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer on ITV1 and on ITVX on Tuesday, 4 June.
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