Local Labour Party members in Leicester South have this evening, Saturday, selected Jonathan Ashworth as their candidate for the forthcoming Leicester South by-election.

Jonathan will succeed Sir Peter Soulsby who announced his intention to stand down following his selection as Labour’s Mayoral Candidate.

On his selection Jonathan said: “Leicester is a very diverse and vibrant city with a great history and I am honoured to have been selected by the local party members as their candidate for the by-election.
“Sir Peter has been a great constituency MP and will certainly be a hard act to follow but I believe that I have the experience and knowledge needed to represent the people of this constituency.”
“The Tory-led government’s unfair cuts are having a huge impact on Leicester South. The Tories and Lib Dems have no plan for economic growth or job creation. People across Leicester South are facing a very uncertain future. I am determined to be a strong voice for the constituency and will work hard to protect our vital services and strengthen our local communities.”

Sir Peter Soulsby said: “I am delighted that Jonathan has been selected as Labour’s candidate for the forthcoming by-election. Leicester South needs a Mayor and a Member of Parliament who will defend our local services and drive our economy forward and I know that Jonathan has the commitment and experience we need during these tough times.”

Keith Vaz, MP for Leicester East said: “I am delighted that local party members have today selected Jonathan as their candidate for the by-election. I know that Jonathan is committed to the city and I look forward to supporting him in the campaign to be the next Labour MP for Leicester South.”

Liz Kendall, MP for Leicester West said: “I’m delighted Jonathan has been selected as Labour’s candidate in this by-election. I know he will be a real champion for Leicester South and will fight hard against the Tory-led government’s cuts which are putting the city’s jobs and services at risk. I’m looking forward to working with him as we campaign for a better deal and better future for our fantastic city.”
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Editor’s notes:
Jonathan was selected following a ballot of all eligible members. The final result was:
Ashworth, Jonathan: 106
Channer, Josie: 0
Clayton, Neil: 2
Kitterick, Patrick: 44
Mayat, Mian: 1

For more information, please contact Vicky Street, East Midlands Regional Communications Officer on 0115 943 1777 / 07843 344 304.

Sir Peter Soulsby MP has today, Saturday 5th March, announced his intention to stand down as the MP for Leicester South following his successful bid to become the Labour Party candidate for this year’s Leicester Mayoral election.

On his selection, Peter said: “I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have been selected by the Leicester members as their candidate for this year’s mayoral election. The members had five great candidates to select from and I am grateful for all the support that I have received from party members right across the city.”

“There could be no greater honour and privilege than being Leicester’s first directly elected Mayor, taking this great city from strength to strength.”

“Being Leicester’s Mayor is a full time job and over the next few weeks I want to spend my time talking to people across Leicester about their hopes for the future of our City. Everyone knows the importance I have placed on Leicester and the dedication and commitment I believe is demanded to become Leicester’s Mayor. For me, Leicester and the people who live here must always come first.”

“Which is why I have one further announcement – today I am making clear my intention to resign from Parliament in order to focus solely on becoming the first elected Mayor of Leicester.  I am informing our Party Leader and the National Executive Committee that I am stepping down and will ask them to make the necessary arrangements because that is the principled thing to do.”

“There should be no distractions from the task at hand, our focus now should be the people of Leicester and working together I know we can make this city even greater.”

“As a city we face some of the toughest challenges we have had in a very long time. The Tory-led government is making cuts to our public services that will hit our local communities hard.”

“Leicester needs an elected mayor with real experience and a track record at a local and national level – someone who knows that it’s not just business as usual at the council but who has strong and visible leadership. Someone who will defend our local services, who will drive our economy forward and who has a bold and radical vision to put Leicester back on the map.”

“As mayor the everyday concerns of Leicester residents will always be my top priority and I am looking forward to taking that message to residents right across the city over the coming weeks.”

Neighbouring Leicester MPs Keith Vaz and Liz Kendal have agreed to become the co-chairs of Peter Soulsby’s Mayoral election campaign.

Keith Vaz MP said: “We have today selected a great champion for the people of Leicester. Peter brings with him a wealth of experience and will be an outstanding Mayor for Leicester and that’s why I have agreed to become the co-chair of Peter’s campaign to ensure a Labour victory in May.”

Liz Kendal MP said: “Peter has an exciting vision for Leicester and is the right person to be Mayor for this city. I am looking forward to working with Peter over the coming weeks as we campaign to elect a Labour mayor for Leicester.”

Labour Leader Ed Miliband said: “I’m delighted that Peter Soulsby has been selected as Labour’s candidate for Mayor of Leicester. His background in Leicester is unsurpassed. While he will be a huge loss to Parliament and my team on the frontbench, I understand and accept Peter’s reasons for stepping down to focus solely on becoming Mayor. The fact he is prepared to do this is testament to the importance he places on putting Leicester first.

“Peter will be a great Mayor for Leicester backed by a strong team of Labour City Council candidates, and I look forward to visiting Leicester soon in the next few weeks to join them on the campaign trail.”
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Notes to Editors:

Sir Peter Soulsby was selected as the Mayoral Candidate following a ballot of all eligible members in Leicester.

The final result of the ballot was:
OSMAN, Abdul:         64                69
PATEL, Rita:             28                Eliminated
PATEL, Veejay:        85                85
SOULSBY, Peter:    248                269
WILLMOTT, Ross:  104                104

For more information or for interview bids please contact Vicky Street, East Midlands Regional Communications Officer, 07843 344 304 or email vicky_street@new.labour.org.uk

Please visit Peter Soulsby’s website at http://www.petersoulsby.org