Edward, alongside other Leicestershire Conservative MPs, Councillors across different Parties, and local residents, has joined a large protest outside Leicestershire County Hall, ahead of an Extraordinary Council Meeting to discuss the Labour Government’s decision in July to massively expand the city as part of its Local Government Reorganisation plans – Plans for city expansion Edward has opposed since they were first suggested in early 2025.
The Government’s plans take county communities in the Melton and Syston constituency, like Thurmaston, Syston, Queniborough, Barkby, Barkby Thorpe, Beeby, and Thorpebury, as well as huge other swathes of the county elsewhere, and other villages, and put them into Leicester city as part of what is effectively a ‘city land-grab’.
Edward said: “I, along with local Councillors like Cllrs Seaton, Poland, Bradshaw, have long campaigned and fought hard against a massive city expansion or ‘land-grab’ from the start. Yet the Government has seemingly ignored MPs, Councillors, its own consultation, and local communities and residents who overwhelmingly oppose being shifted into the city, to force a change upon us that we don’t want.
This protest shows not only the strength of feeling locally, but also cross-Party opposition to the Government’s plans, and should send a clear message to the Government and Labour MPs in our county.
I am calling on the County Council to seriously explore how it could bring a judicial review about the process the Government has followed, and it will have my support if it does so.
Although the Government sadly has the numbers in Parliament to force this change through, it is the wrong decision for Leicestershire and our communities, and I will continue to work with anyone, cross-Party, to oppose this and do what I can to continue to try to fight it.”
