Local Conservative Leaders Condemn Government Plans for Leicestershire and Rutland Reorganisation
A coalition of Conservative Members of Parliament and local councillors from across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland have issued a strongly worded joint statement, decrying the Government’s decision to proceed with major local government restructuring.
The group, which includes several prominent MPs and leaders from various district and county councils, has characterised the move as a "bitter blow" to the hundreds of thousands of residents whose communities will be impacted.
At the heart of the opposition is the Government’s plan to transfer significant portions of historic Leicestershire into Leicester City and to mandate a new unitary authority structure for Rutland—changes that local representatives argue are being forced upon the regions against the clearly expressed wishes of their inhabitants.
The statement highlights three primary concerns regarding the government’s approach,
While the government engaged in a public consultation process, the signatories argue that local voices were ultimately ignored. They assert that the decision was effectively "made" before the consultation began, undermining the principles of localism and democratic engagement.
There are profound concerns regarding the economic viability of the proposed changes. By removing high-value residential and commercial zones from the county and placing them under the jurisdiction of an enlarged Leicester City, critics fear the remaining rural areas will struggle to fund essential public services. The group warns that this could lead to increased costs for residents and reduced service quality in towns and villages.
The statement accuses the Labour government of prioritising "political geography" and potential electoral advantages over the practical, long-term stability of local government.
The coalition has made it clear that they view the government's announcement as only the beginning of a prolonged battle. The signatories emphasise that this campaign is community-led, representing a cross-section of parish councils, town councils, businesses, and residents dedicated to protecting their regional identity and local representation.
"We do not accept this decision and will continue to oppose this Leicester City land grab," the group stated. They have pledged to use every "legitimate avenue available" to challenge the proposals, scrutinize the implementation process, and hold the government accountable for the outcomes of these changes.
The statement is backed by a broad coalition of local leadership:
Members of Parliament
Neil O'Brien MP, Alberto Costa MP, Dr. Luke Evans MP, Ed Agar MP, Alicia Kearns MP, and Shivani Raja MP.
Local Government Representatives
District/Borough Leaders Cllr Ben Taylor (Blaby DC), Cllr Simon Whelband (Harborough DC), Cllr Ronan Browne (Melton BC), and Cllr Richard Blunt (NW Leics DC).
Opposition Leaders Deborah Taylor CC (Leicestershire CC), Cllr Hemant Bhatia (Leicester City Council), Cllr Lucy Stephenson (Rutland CC), Cllr Jenny Bokor (Charnwood BC), Cllr Richard Allen (Hinckley & Bosworth BC), and Cllr Naveed Alam (Oadby and Wigston BC).
Other Cllr Phil King (Deputy Leader, Harborough DC) and Craig Smith (Parliamentary Spokesman for NW Leics).
As the implementation phase looms, this alliance has signaled that their priority remains defending local services and ensuring that the interests of residents in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland are not sacrificed for the sake of sweeping structural reforms.
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