'The fight is not over': MP's reaction as Government withdraws plans to shake up Leicestershire councils
Alberto Costa MP has vowed to carry on campaigning against the expansion of Leicester city and the reorganisation of the councils after the Government announced it had withdrawn its July decision to shake up the county boundary.
The MP for South Leicester has reacted to the news that ministers will revisit decisions made about the reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
In a statement, Mr Costa said: “Today is a positive step in the right direction for our campaign.
"Many people told us that Leicester’s expansion was a done deal, but I and many Leicestershire residents refused to accept that outlook. More than 15,500 South Leicestershire residents signed my petition, and over 40,000 people across Leicestershire and Rutland have made our voices impossible for ministers to ignore. “The Government’s decision to withdraw its July reorganisation decision is a major and tangible victory for local democracy and people power.”
Mr Costa alongside Neil O’Brien MP and others from around Leicestershire took a petition to Downing Street opposing the plans to abolish the current councils.
The MP was keen to stress that this is not the end of the story.
He said: “While this withdrawal is encouraging, the fight is not over. The Government remains committed to local government reorganisation and has indicated that further decisions will follow. But the Government has essentially kicked the can down the road until next year rather than scrapping these unwelcome expansion plans completely.
"We have secured vital time, and we will use it to keep up the pressure in Parliament until unwelcome city expansion is taken off the table completely.
“Communities such as Blaby, Enderby, Narborough, Whetstone, Countesthorpe and our surrounding villages have distinct identities. They should not be absorbed into an expanded Leicester City authority against residents’ wishes. I will not stop campaigning until unwelcome city expansion is taken off the table permanently.”