Friday March 11 2011

Peter Soulsby, Labour's Candidate announces that if elected Rory Palmer will be his first Deputy Mayor.

Peter Soulsby said: “I am pleased to announce that if I am elected in May I will be appointing Rory Palmer as a first Deputy Mayor. Rory has the experience, ideas and ability to carry out this very important role which will be at the heart of my new administration; he has proved himself to be a talented, enthusiastic and passionate advocate for Leicester.”

“I have worked alongside Rory for a number of years and he has a determination to improve communities in Leicester. Rory does an excellent job representing Eyres Monsell. Alongside representing his ward Rory will be a leading figure in my Mayoral team.”

Rory Palmer said: “I am delighted to have been asked by Peter to be his candidate for first Deputy Mayor.”

“The introduction of an Elected Mayor system is one of the most exciting developments in local government for a generation, not just for Leicester but nationally. Leicester will be the largest city outside London to have an Elected Mayor and I am keen to play my part in making this a success for Leicester and for Labour.”

“I intend to continue representing Eyres Monsell, something which it has been a privilege to do for the last four years, and I will be seeking re-election there in May. My priority is to work as part of Labour's team in Leicester to get Peter elected as Mayor and as many Labour councillors elected as possible.”

Peter Soulsby, Labour's Candidate for Leicester Mayor, has today announced that if elected Rory Palmer will be his first Deputy Mayor

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Leader of the Labour Party Ed Miliband MP said: “Leicester needs a strong Labour Mayor and a dynamic Labour team of councillors to take on the challenges of the future. Peter will bring a wealth of experience as an MP and former Council Leader to this team, and Rory brings the energy and ideas of Labour's new generation.”

Peter Soulsby will be making further announcements in the coming days and after May's elections relating to his Mayoral team.

A MAYOR FOR LEICESTER

Saturday March 5 2011

Sir Peter Soulsby to stand down as MP following selection as Labour's

Mayoral Candidate

Sir Peter Soulsby MP has today, Saturday, 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.”

Supporters joining Peter on Saturday March 5, the selection day for the Labour candidate for the Mayor of Leicester

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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."

A MAYOR FOR LEICESTER
In May Leicester will vote for a Mayor to lead the City and the Council. I believe the City needs:
	An ambitious vision for the future
	A strong and experienced Leader
	A Leader to speak up for our City in these tough times

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This website is funded entirely by Peter Soulsby

Saturday January 15 2011

Peter officially launches campaign

Peter Soulsby publicly launched his campaign for the Labour Party nomination for the election to be Leicester's first Elected Mayor at a special event in Town Hall Square. Peter was joined by supporters at the event on Saturday as Labour Party members officially begin the process to choose their candidate for the landmark mayoral election this May.

Peter Soulsby said: “In May Leicester people will go to the polls in a landmark election for our city. I want to serve the people of Leicester as their first directly Elected Mayor. I have lived in Leicester for over 40 years and am proud to have had the enormous privilege of serving the people of Leicester as a councillor, as Council Leader for 17 years and as a Member of Parliament.”

“As we face unprecedented government cuts to public services, Leicester needs an Elected Mayor with real experience and a track record at local and national level. I was Leader of the Council the last time our communities faced savage attacks from the Conservatives and as an MP I have been a strong voice for our city in Westminster.”

“We need a bold and radical vision for the future of Leicester. I will defend our public services and work to improve them. I will work with our business community to support enterprise and create jobs. I will work to bring new investment into our city.

Tackling climate change and protecting our greenspaces and natural environment will be a central to my vision for Leicester.”

“As Mayor the everyday concerns of Leicester residents will always be my top priority. We need to build more housing for families and tackle anti-social behaviour on our streets."

"I will have a radical new approach to buses and public transport and will work to end excessive fare increases. Schools have improved dramatically in recent years but we should always want to do more to raise achievement and the aspirations of our young people.”

“Over the coming weeks I will be setting out my vision for Leicester. It will not be business as usual at the City Council with me as Elected Mayor. I have the strength of experience and the bold ideas for the future.”

Backing Peter Soulsby

As Peter Soulsby publicly launched his campaign to be selected as Labour's candidate for Elected Mayor, several councillors and Labour Party members declared their support for Peter. Read their messages of support right.

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Backing Peter Soulsby - messages of support

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Councillor Manjula Sood, former Lord Mayor and Councillor for Latimer Ward:
“When I was first elected to the City Council Peter represented the same ward. Working with Peter for many years I have seen how committed he is to improving all our communities. As Council Leader Peter led the City Challenge programme bringing regeneration investment into Leicester and he made sure our city was on the map with major projects like the National Space Centre. Peter is compassionate and has a deep understanding of Leicester’s multicultural and diverse communities. Peter has my support to see Leicester through the challenges of today and of the future.”

Councillor Piara Singh Clair, Councillor for Rushey Mead Ward:
“I have known Sir Peter for over 30 years. I consider him to have wealth of knowledge and vast experience in politics and community leadership:, his ability and reputation as a strong leader speaks for itself. He was leader of Leicester City Council for over two decades and has served as a member of parliament for the past few years. I strongly believe that he is the ideal choice as the first Elected Mayor of Leicester and fully support his nomination as Labour’s candidate and I would encourage other party members to support Peter.”

Dr Chowdhury, Labour Councillor for Spinney Hills:
"I am delighted to endorse Sir Peter Soulsby’s campaign to be Labour’s candidate for the Mayoral election in May. Peter is credited with delivering many flagship developments and initiatives in Leicester during his many years as Leader. Peter has a wealth of knowledge and experience locally and nationally. He has the vision and commitment to take Leicester forward as our first Elected Mayor.”

Ted Cassidy, former City Councillor and Labour’s candidate for Fosse Ward:
“I am delighted to support Peter Soulsby for the Labour Party nomination for the Elected Mayor for Leicester. Peter is by far the strongest and most able political leader in Leicester, recognised by our diverse communities and business as a person with integrity who can do most to lead our great City forward with sustainability, social harmony and prosperity."

Lynn Senior, Labour Councillor for Castle Ward:
"As a councillor and Labour activist I have worked alongside Peter and know he has the experience, ideas and determination to lead Leicester as our first Elected Mayor. We need someone with the experience and track record of speaking up for Leicester and someone who will not be afraid to take on the Conservative - Lib Dem government in their vicious attacks on our communities. As an MP and Council Leader Peter has proven he can do this, and that's why he has my full support."

Virginia Cleaver, Labour Councillor for Eyres Monsell:
"I was proud to campaign alongside Peter Soulsby in my election campaign to become a councillor in May last year. I saw how Peter listened and understood the concerns of ordinary families in Eyres Monsell. Peter connects with people in all our communities; every time we go out campaigning across Leicester people know Peter and they know him not just as their MP or as a long-serving councillor, but as their friend, a fellow resident of their city and as an ordinary person. He is someone who will put the concerns of ordinary families at the top of his to-do list as Mayor."

Adam Clarke, Labour Party member and campaigner in Aylestone:
“I am 100% certain he's the person Leicester needs at this time to take our city forward. His excellent record as Leader of the Council and as MP for Leicester South demonstrates that he has a passion and a radical vision for the city he clearly loves."

Bob Waterton, former City Councillor and Labour activist in Western Park:
“Peter has track record of strong and decisive leadership in Leicester. As Council Leader Peter made sure Leicester had a strong voice against Thatcher’s government and we need that experience now to take on the current Tory-led government. Peter will be an excellent Labour Mayor of Leicester.”

Arthur Manger, former City Councillor and Labour activist in Braunstone Park & Rowley Fields:
“Over many years I have seen Peter’s strength of leadership. His experience is just what we need to take Leicester through these tough and difficult times. Peter will be an Elected Mayor the city can have real confidence in, he be a strong voice for Leicester.”

Councillor Mian Myatt, Coleman Ward:
"Peter Soulsby has the experience to take Leicester forward through these difficult times with savage government spending cuts from Whitehall. I am supporting Peter to be the Labour candidate in this historic election for our city."

Friday 28 January 2011
Backing Peter Soulsby: more councillors endorse Peter's bid for Labour nomination
More City Councillors have given their backing to Peter Soulsby's campaign for the Labour nomination.

Spinney Hill Councillor, Hanif Aqbany:
"Peter works tirelessly for our communities in Leicester. He takes on the issues that matter and has always given our city a voice. I have seen firsthand how Peter represents and works with communities like St Matthews and St Peters in my ward to make a difference and raise aspirations."

Stoneygate Councillor Iqbal Desai:
"Peter Soulsby has my full support for the Labour nomination. I know that as our Elected Mayor Peter will work with city councillors to deliver for our communities. Peter's track record as Council Leader and as our MP shows that he can get results for the people and communities he represents. His experience is a real strength and Peter has the ideas to take Leicester forward."

Evington Councillor Deepak Bajaj:
"I am supporting Peter because he has the experience and ideas to be a our first Elected Mayor. We need an Elected Mayor to stand up to the Tory-led government and make sure Leicester's voice is heard loud and clear."

Councillors from across Leicester have endorsed Peter's campaign for the Labour nomination.
Councillors who have declared their backing for Peter so far include: Councillor Manjula Sood (Latimer), Councilor Piara Singh Clair (Rushey Mead), Councillor Dr Chowdhury (Spimmey Hills), Councillor Lynn Senior (Castle), Councillor Virginia Cleaver (Eyres Monsell), Councillor Rory Palmer (Eyres Monsell), Councillor Bill Shelton (Freemen), Councillor Mohamed Dawood (Spinney Hills) and Councillor Mian Myatt (Coleman).

Campaigning

Peter Soulsby campaigning in Castle ward with Castle Councillor Lynn Senior and Ted Cassidy ( Labour campaigner in Fosse Ward)

Sunday January 9 2011

Peter leads Labour campaigning

Peter Soulsby joined Labour councillors and activists this weekend out campaigning on the doorstep, listening to the concerns of local residents and setting out Labour's response on the issues that matter.

Peter, who is seeking the nomination to be Labour candidate to become Leicester's first Elected Mayor, joined Labour's campaign team in Clarendon Park in the Castle ward.

Peter Soulsby said: “Through my campaign to be Labour's candidate for Mayor I want to grow and build the Labour Party across Leicester. In recent months following the Lib Dem and Tory coalition government forming and Ed Miliband becoming Labour Leader, hundreds of new members have joined Labour across the city.”

“I want Labour to be an outward looking party, reaching out to new members and supporters and taking the fight to the Tories and Lib Dems here in Leiester and beyond. I want to welcome all those new members, some who have rejoined, and urge anyone else who shares out belief in a fairer society to join Labour and work with us to develop a progressive and ambitious vision for Leicester.”

“As part of my campaign to be Labour's candidate I want to talk not just about the important issues and challenges facing our city and our communities, but also about how we can change Labour and ensure ordinary members can play a full and active part in the debates about the future of our party.”

“Campaigning in our communities, listening to residents and responding to their worries and concerns is what we as a party have always been about and will continue to be so. I will be campaigning alongside Labour's City Council candidates across Leicester in the coming weeks.”

Peter with the Leicester South campaign team including Cllr Lynn Senior, Cllr Neil Clayton, Cllr Patrick Kitterick, Cllr Rory Palmer, Elly Cutkelvin (Labour campaigner in Freemen ward) and Ted Cassidy (Labour campaigner in Fosse Ward)

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Appearing in this photo does not necessarily indicate support for Peter's campaign to be Labour candidate for Mayor.