The 2016 party conference season is now over. It’s been an odd season: the Lib Dems, once in government, seemed to get no coverage at all; Labour was all about who was going to lead and then how they all got along fine, before falling out with each other again; and the Conservatives delivered new policies, showcasing the new government, whilst addressing the single biggest thing our country has faced for a generation – Brexit.

Brexit is, of course, a very big deal. The start of the exiting process will begin before the end of March next year and we will deliver what two out of every three Wyre Forest voters asked for.

But what we also highlighted, in holding the Conservative conference in Birmingham, was the importance of the midlands as an engine for the UK economy. Indeed, the policy and strategy we have created centres on the Midlands Engine – the ability of the local economy to drive its own fortunes and the move towards more local democracy.

People living in the Midlands know more about how their economy works than people living in London. They know more about how lives are lived and what issues affect our local communities for more than a Whitehall mandarin. It is for that reason that we have introduced more devolution from the centre, trusting local people to make their own choices in a way our predecessors never did.

The Midlands has a lot to offer – world class automotive and aerospace engineering capabilities and a burgeoning financial services hub. All of this is incredibly important to our local economies and to the wellbeing of our local communities. The Midlands Engine will be supported where needed, but allowed to take its own lead in forging its way in the post Brexit new world.

Potentially supporting this, but not essential to make the Engine happen, is elected metro mayors – a new Mayor of Birmingham. Again, this is about devolving power from the centre to the regions. We will have a new, elected mayor in due course, but the powers to be devolved will be chosen by the mayors. In the Northern Powerhouse, they have many devolved issues including the NHS. We could do the same here in the Midlands.

Trusting people to determine their own futures is important. Our predecessors never had the nerve to do it and now they don’t trust each other. This is an exciting opportunity for our region.