I have read some of the recent commentary about Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). All of it feels partisan and much of it is out of touch. I want to share my view – not just because the facts are important, but because any conflict between organisations that can help the UK return to prosperity and address future challenges is counter-productive and undesirable.

At this point, I should declare an interest: I am a dedicated supporter of the private sector and totally committed to the success of businesses. I am also a LEP board director, but what you should read into that is not that I am a LEP insider, but that I am a businesswoman who could see that LEPs are business-led organisations which help embed a business focus in partnerships across their local economies.