Video: The idea of Nottingham Parliament Day was first launched publicly in July.
The fight for funding and political progress in Nottingham is going to London on Tuesday when the city ‘takes over’ Parliament for 24 hours.
Nottingham in Parliament Day is an ambitious attempt to attract attention in the corridors of power and get the city noticed on a national and global scale.
A series of talks, workshops and eye-catching events are planned by city MPs, businesses and institutions inside and outside the House of Commons.
In total there are more than 40 events and 100 organisations involved and the idea has taken around a year to bring to life.
There will be high-profile debate between key business leaders and politicians, including talks on Nottingham’s important role as part of the ‘Midlands Engine’.
The city’s transport network, its growing reputation for life sciences and creative industries and its pioneering move to set up the country’s first council-owned energy company will also be discussed.
For updates on Nottingham in Parliament Day visit nottstv.com, the Notts TV Facebook page and our Twitter feed on Tuesday, October 25.
Other highlights include academics from the University of Nottingham pitched against members of the House of Commons in an episode of University Challenge, members of the GB archery team giving Robin Hood target practice outside the house, and Professor Sir Martyn Poliakoff conducting live chemistry experiments with Jo Johnson, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation.
Interactive graphic: Some of the locations and events around the Houses of Parliament
City Council Leader Councillor Jon Collins said: “This will be a chance to get across the huge strengths of our city and some of the things people may not realise we excel at.
“Some things are taken for granted locally like our world-class universities and their links with emerging industries, our exceptional transport network and the fact we’ve set up the UK’s first council-run energy company – but it’s important that decision-makers in London are made of aware of this.
“When it comes to decisions like funding for the Midlands Engine or HS2, we want Nottingham to be as clearly defined in people’s minds as places like Birmingham or Manchester.”
The University of Nottingham Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir David Greenaway, said: “As a city, we sometimes compare ourselves with London and Manchester and think that we’re something small but we’re actually the ninth biggest city in the fifth biggest economy in the world.
“We have huge strengths in those areas that play to the Government’s agenda of great technologies. Yet we don’t have a loud enough voice in Westminster.
“Nottingham in Parliament Day can only be the beginning of a campaign to get the city’s significant strengths and substantial potential better understood.”