MP tells House of Commons exactly why Milton Keynes should win City of Culture status

Adressing ministers during DCMS Questions, Callum Anderson described the city’s rich cultural offerings and said: “I can’t think of a better candidate to be the UK City of Culture.

He cited Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes Gallery and the Milton Keynes International Festival, alongside MK’s forthcoming 60th anniversary.

And he praised the city’s business success, with its total economic output now valued at over £16.7 billion.

Responding, Culture Minister Stephanie Peacock MP reflected positively on her recent visit to Bletchley and said she looked forward to visiting the shortlisted cities once they are announced.

All three Labour MPs representing Milton Keynes have reaffirmed their wholehearted support for the city’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029, stating that Milton Keynes is uniquely placed to deliver a “transformative and inspiring” year of cultural events.

Nearly 60 years after its designation as a New Town, Milton Keynes is now home to more than 300,000 people and has become one of the most diverse, innovative and fastest- growing communities in the country.

Callum, who is MP for Buckingham and Bletchley, said the bid comes at a pivotal moment in the city’s journey, as it prepares to celebrate its milestone 60th birthday next year while continuing to lead the way as one of the fastest-growing and most productive urbaneconomies in the UK.

The MPs praised the thousands of local residents who have helped shape the bid through workshops, school events, community conversations and creative activities, describing it in a letter to the UK City of Culture Assessment Panel as “a bid created by Milton Keynes, not simply for Milton Keynes”.

They highlighted MK’s distinctive cultural identity and its long tradition of embracing ambition, creativity and openness. They argued that UK City of Culture status would not only celebrate the city’s achievements, but also help shape its future.

With transformational opportunities on the horizon, including East West Rail, UniversalStudios and the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, the MPs insisted that culture must sit at the heart of MK’s next chapter, ensuring community cohesion and wellbeing alongside economic growth.

They also emphasised the importance of the bid for young people. With more than a quarter of Milton Keynes residents aged 19 or under, they said UK City of Culture status could inspire the next generation of artists, creators and innovators, while opening up new pathways into the creative industries.

Callum said: “From the pioneering legacy of Bletchley Park to the thousands who have made Milton Keynes their home, our city has always embraced new ideas and opportunities. But significant challenges around deprivation, skills and social mobility remain - particularly in Bletchley.”

Emily Darlington, MP for Milton Keynes Central, said: “MK has been built, and continues to grow, from the ideas of people who havechosen to make this city their home – the place they raise their family, start a business, create a charity and contribute to a local community.

“The UK City of Culture Bid exemplifies this; it is an opportunity for us to show off what makes us so specials from our local businesses to fantastic artists and leading innovation. We don’t just excel in one sector; it is our diversity that makes us such a special place to be.”

Chris Curtis, MP for Milton Keynes North, said: “Milton Keynes is a perfect mix of our historic towns and villages with their own proud traditions, and our New Town which has quickly blossomed into one of Britain’s leading cities, which make us a thriving cultural hotspot.

“After all, all the jokes about concrete cows can only mean one thing – our public art installations have a national reputation to be proud of.”

The MPs say the bid’s theme, We’re Just Getting Started, perfectly captures the spirit of a city proud of what it has achieved and excited about what comes next.