Neil O’Brien Presses Government To Halt Leicester Expansion

Harborough MP Neil O’Brien has called on the government to pause proposed Local Government Reorganisation plans and the expansion of Leicester City boundaries.

The call comes following the resignation of the Prime Minister and what Mr O’Brien described as “overwhelming local opposition” to the proposals.

It also follows an informal referendum organised by the MP in response to the Government’s decision not to hold a public vote on the plans.

Almost 12,000 people across Oadby, Wigston, Great Glen and surrounding villages took part in the vote, with an estimated turnout of around 50 per cent. Of those who voted, 96.7 per cent opposed the proposed Leicester City expansion.

Almost 12,000 people from Oadby, Wigston, Great Glen and surrounding villages cast their vote

Mr O’Brien said it would be “wholly illegitimate” to press ahead with such significant structural changes before a new Prime Minister is in place and a clearer policy direction is set.

He said: “Given both the overwhelming local opposition and Labour’s political uncertainty, I have urged the Secretary of State to pause the LGR and Leicester City expansion proposals immediately.

“The message from local residents could not be clearer… residents value their local identity, local councils, and local independence. They do not want to be absorbed into an expanded Leicester City.”

Earlier this month, Mr O’Brien took part in a Westminster Hall debate alongside MPs raising similar concerns about local government reorganisation proposals affecting their constituencies.

The debate took place amid expectations that the Government would announce its decision on the local government shake-up in July, although recent political developments have raised questions over the timing.

Mr O’Brien has written to Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, said he would continue to raise the issue in Parliament and represent the interests of his constituents throughout the process.