Dear Graham,

Thank you for your letter and indeed kind wishes for my campaign, which are most appreciated.

I am familiar with CAMRA and your work, having once stepped out with a young man who was both a very keen member and an even keener drinker!

As both a Conservative and businesswoman myself, local economy and small business are a big concern of mine and I have been communicating with businesses on this a lot during my campaign and continue to do so. If you've not already seen it, I posted on my social media about this just last week and you can read this here:

https://twitter.com/Katie4Liverpool/status/1382350599333810176/photo/1

The hospitality industry is not only one of mine but the closest to my heart. I began in business, in catering with hospitality, am a personal licensee myself and have served many a pint of Real Ale in the process. You do not need to tell me what a contribution the industry makes to the UK and more importantly to Liverpool, I am well aware from experience alone. I am very proud of the work that the Conservative government has put into the reducing of business rates but there is certainly more work to be done in this regard, especially for the licensed trade and I believe that this requires both a local and national approach. If elected as City Mayor, I would launch a consultation with all licenced premises in the area in this regard, including how they can feel better supported and less restricted. I would ensure that the findings were implemented locally and work with central government to make broader changes nationally.

Even if not elected, you may be aware that I am the Chairman of the Conservative Women's Organisation (CWO), Merseyside. CWO works directly with the Conservative Policy Forum (CPF) on a project called Tell No. 10. This is a Conservative Party initiative and a programme designed to feedback local and national opinion to the government. You do not need to be a Conservative member or voter to be part of these events, it is about listening to the public.
Once Covid restrictions allow, I would be delighted to meet with you and your members to discuss the above and present ideas and opinions back to the eyes and ears in Westminster. Post-Covid recovery is now key to the survival of business and hence the country and the Party and government are listening. I am also an Officer with the City of Liverpool Conservative Association and an active member with the Liverpool Conservative Business Forum and these are very important roles to me. If you would be happy for a future, informal meeting, please do let me know and I will diarise to contact you when larger meetings are permitted to discuss.

In the meantime, thank you once again for your contact and please do not hesitate in contacting me if I can be of any assistance in the future.

Take care and warm regards.

Kate.
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Katie Burgess.
The Conservative Party Candidate - Liverpool City Mayoral Elections.