Peter Bedford MP: speeches

Speeches

• 8 Sept 2026 · Proposed Leicester City Council boundary expansion · Hansard source

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  Further to my online petition, which to date has received over 9,000 signatures, I rise to present a paper petition against the expansion of the local government boundaries of Leicester city council. Prior to the summer recess, the Government announced proposals for local government reorganisation in Leicestershire. The plans would have placed the villages of Anstey, Birstall, Cropston, Glenfield, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester Forest East, Thurcaston, Braunstone Town and Thorpe Astley within the Leicester city council area. While I welcome yesterday’s announcement by the Government, the 9,000 residents who have signed this petition have made their views crystal clear. They want it to be a permanent pause. They do not support an enlarged Leicester city council area. The petition states: “The petition of residents of the constituency of Mid Leicestershire, Declares that the petitioners oppose any proposal to extend the boundaries of Leicester City Council in a manner that would incorporate the communities of Braunstone Town, Thorpe Astley, Leicester Forest East, Kirby Muxloe, Glenfield, Anstey, Thurcaston, Cropston, Birstall and Wanlip into the City of Leicester; and further declares that these communities possess distinct identities, histories and local governance arrangements, and that any boundary changes which remove them from their existing district and parish structures would undermine local representation and community cohesion. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to halt and reconsider any proposals for the expansion of Leicester City Council’s boundaries, and to ensure that the views of local residents are fully considered before any changes are implemented, thereby protecting the character, identity and independence of the aforementioned communities. And the petitioners remain, etc.” [P003235]

• 7 Sept 2026 · Local Government Reorganisation · Hansard source

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  Given that the right hon. Lady emphasised listening to local people, empowering local communities and making decisions with their consent, does she agree that local communities such as those in Leicestershire should have local referendums before decisions are imposed upon them, such as being dragged into an enlarged Leicester city council area?