Manchester suicide bombing: West Midlands politicians in call for solidarity with terror attack victims
Politicians from across the Black Country and Staffordshire have called for solidarity as they pledged their support for the victims of the latest terror attack to hit Britain.
The bombing at Manchester Arena was the worst terrorist atrocity in the UK for 12 years, leaving 22 people dead - including children - and many more injured.
All campaigning for the General Election was cancelled as parliamentary candidates reflected on what Government Chief Whip Gavin Williamson described as a barbaric attack motivated by hatred.
He said: "To see such a horrific attack that has targeted children and young people is dreadful beyond words.
"We always have to be vigilant to crush and destroy people who are out to bring destruction to our way of life.
"It leaves the whole nation reeling as we see the carnage that has been caused. Now is the time for us all to come together to support the people who have suffered the most.
"Our thanks go to the emergency services who have done such and amazing job. Let us hope our security services hunt down anyone else who may have been involved in the attack so they can be brought to justice.
"The barbarity and hatred that clearly motivated this attack just disgusts any right-thinking individual."
Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson told the Express & Star: "I'm deeply shocked and very upset that innocent children have been targeted in this way.
"Manchester is a strong city and we in the Black Country express our solidarity and support for all the people who are dealing with the aftermath of this horrific attack.
"I know everyone in the Black Country will agree that we will never let these terrorists defeat us."
Paul Uppal said his wife Kashmir had been in Manchester on the day of the attack and had seen families making their way to the Manchester Arena.
"It is hard to believe that just a short time later there was this utterly barbaric attack," the Conservative candidate for Wolverhampton South West said.
"My thoughts and prayers are with those that have been injured and murdered."
Labour's parliamentary candidate for Wolverhampton North East, Emma Reynolds, said: "This is an absolutely horrific attack that is particularly upsetting because it targeted teenagers.
"My thoughts are with the families of those affected."
Labour's candidate for Stourbridge and Dudley councillor Pete Lowe, said: "All of my thoughts are with the victims of this atrocity.
"This is a reminder to all of us of the nature of the world we live in.
"In this attack we saw the very worst of humanity, but we also saw the very best in the way our emergency services and the staff at the arena rallied around to help.
"All In want to do is to give my girls a big cuddle and tell them that the world is not all bad."
Wolverhampton South East candidate for Labour, Pat McFadden, said: "This was an absolutely terrible attack on innocent people.
"My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We should thank the police and emergency services and everyone else who is trying to help out.
"We must stand together in the face of terrorism."
He also took to Twitter to show his solidarity with the victims.
Dudley South's Conservative candidate Mike Wood, said: "It is absolutely heartbreaking that these children and young people went to the venue to connect with other people and families for a good night out.
"They all had their hopes and dreams for the future, but sadly at least 22 of them will never get the chance to fulfil them.
"It is now more important than ever that the security services look at what could have been done and do their utmost to keep the risk down for the future."
Michael Fabricant, the Conservative candidate for Lichfield, said he had found the kindness of people in Manchester to those caught up in the attack 'immensely moving', describing it as 'decency in the face of evil'.
Halesowen & Rowley Regis Conservative candidate James Morris said his thoughts were with everyone affected by the attack.
Walsall South's parliamentary candidate for Labour, Valerie Vaz tweeted: "Beautiful innocent children lost...parents families friends and the nation grieving."
