by Paul Francis and Trevor Sturgess

Conservative MPs have expressed concerns over proposals for an alliance between Kent and Essex aimed at boosting jobs and the economy of the two counties.

The government is weighing up different options for partnerships between councils that will succeed the soon-to-be-scrapped regional development agencies (RDAs).

Among them in a proposal for Kent and Essex to create a Local Enterprise Partnership covering both counties, which between them have a population of 3.4m and support 115,000 companies.

It is being backed by both county councils.

But 12 of the county’s backbench Conservative MPs have written to communities secretary Eric Pickles and business secretary Vince Cable saying they believe the proposal will harm the interests of businesses in the long term.

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They claim a Kent-Essex alliance would be too broad and ineffectual and could make it harder to secure European funding.

The letter sets out how they prefer a partnership based solely on Kent and Medway - which has been put forward by Medway council and has the support of some west Kent authorities.

The letter states: "As Kent Members of Parliament we believe any reform relating to its overall strategy and infrastructure should be in the interest of Kent and Medway’s economic stability and prosperity."

KCC leader Paul Carter has said the proposed Essex-Kent partnership offers "a unique opportunity to work together to build prosperity for the region".

Launching the bid last month, he said: "We want this partnership to help build the right environment for business to flourish and create new employment opportunities.

"It will also help us look at how we overcome the obstacles to new development and to find innovative approaches to private finance and planning to get the right infrastructure in place to support this.

"Our approach will be lean, pragmatic and business-focused to support the best investment for Kent and Essex."

Cllr Alan Jarrett, Medway Council's Deputy Leader, said: "I am pleased to see that the vast majority of Kent’s MPs support our bid for a Local Enterprise Partnership instead of one that covers the huge geographical area of Kent and Essex."

For full coverage read this month's Kent Business.