Local Government Reorganisation

Debate between Angela Rayner and Neil O'Brien

Monday 7th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Angela Rayner]

Absolutely, and I commend my hon. Friend for his years of service to local government. I had the privilege and honour to be reappointed as Secretary of State, and my No. 1 priority is to get it right for hon. Members, including those from different political parties who have invested so much into local government because they believe that it will unlock potential and support for their constituents. I want to ensure that I have taken the time to get this right, and that is why I have made the decision.

[Neil O’Brien (Harborough, Oadby and Wigston) (Con)]

In the Government’s own consultation on whether to expand Leicester, nine out of 10 people said no. Tens of thousands of people signed petitions against it, yet until Ministers hit this legal snag they tried to press on anyway. When I wrote to them, Ministers said that they would not publish any of the advice or guidance they had been given ahead of making this decision, leaving local people wondering what they had to hide. Will the Secretary of State at least answer this? Why do Ministers sat here in London believe that they know better than local people in Leicestershire what local people in Leicestershire want?

[Angela Rayner]

I say gently to the hon. Member that what we are trying to achieve is working with local members to get better outcomes for local people. That is why I have made a decision to pause and review this. I am happy for him to meet the Minister who will be taking this forward, and ensure that his views, and those of his local members, are fully engaged and part of this process. I believe as a principle that local government reform can unlock great potential for local areas. I remain committed to that, but I am going to do it properly and right.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Angela Rayner and Neil O'Brien

Wednesday 25th June 2025 Commons Chamber

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The previous Government did not have a plan for areas like the north-east. I know she has been a champion for the Moor Farm roundabout. This Government are changing the situation by investing £15.6 billion in local transport projects across the country, opening up access to jobs and improving living standards, including in the north-east.

[Neil O’Brien (Harborough, Oadby and Wigston) (Con)]

Q10. Labour has invited proposals from cities to expand their boundaries, and the Mayor of Leicester wants to expand the city to swallow up areas like Oadby, Wigston and Great Glen, but local people do not want that, and thousands have signed our petition against it. It is not just about the higher council tax; they want to keep their own local identity. Will the Deputy Prime Minister rule out this totally unwelcome city takeover? If she does want to press ahead with it, will she at least give us a say in a local referendum, so that we can tell her again that we do not want this?