The Labour Leicester City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, in March 2025 announced concerning plans to dramatically expand the City and take over large swathes of the County.

His forced takeover would almost double the population of the City from 372,000 to 623,000 and include - Glenfield, Oadby, Wigston, Blaby, Whetstone, Syston, Queniborough, Anstey, Leicester Forest East, Kirkby Muxloe, Birstall, Thurmaston, Great Glen and Countesthorpe amongst others.

Now in their decision by the Government in July 2026, they have accepted the City Council's  proposal to create 2 new unitaries, a  new Leicester Council which would swallow up completely the districts of Oadby & Wigston, virtually all of Blaby district, with parts of Harborough and Charnwood, and a revised Leicestershire & Rutland unitary council area, which would be formed from the remaining parts of Charnwood, Harborough, Blaby, along with Melton, Rutland, Hinckley & Bosworth, North West Leics.

Rather than building upwards, one of the reasons the City are desperate to expand is so that they have the power to build huge new housing developments right on the suburbs, concreting over the countryside. This is made very clear in the minister's decison letter, that this is all about expanding the Leicester council area.

Another is that after decades of financial mismanagement and spiralling costs, this also allows a tax grab to temporarily prop up their accounts. Despite being the lowest funded county council in England, Leicestershire County Council has been ranked most efficient. 

By signing this petition, we say no to the undemocratic proposal of being forced into the City without our consent and are opposed to any expansion of Leicester city's boundaries.