Harborough, Oadby and Wigston general election candidates tell you why they think they deserve your vote

Harborough, Oadby and Wigston general election candidates have explained why they think they deserve your vote on Thursday 4 July. LeicestershireLive invited the candidates to tell you what they wanted you to know about them when you went to the polling booths.

In Harborough, Oadby and Wigston are Danuta Bernadette Jeeves for Reform UK, Phil Knowles for the Liberal Democrats, Robin Lambert for the Social Democrats, Neil O’Brien for the Conservatives, Hajira Hanif Piranie for Labor and Darren Woodiwiss for the Party Greens.

Neil O’Brien is the previous seat holder in the constituency and is again for the Tories. He was first elected Conservative MP for Harborough in June 2017.

READ MORE: All the candidates for the 2024 Leicester and Leicestershire general election

Polls suggested Labor candidate Hajira Piranie could win the constituency, with 38% of the vote to O’Brien’s 34%. YouGov described the tight race between the two as a “toss up”.

Find out what your candidates have to say about the key issues below.

Labor candidate Hajira Piranie

“This constituency has always been my home and I want to be the voice of our towns and villages in Westminster. You deserve an MP who is there for you all year round – not just during elections. I will always be your proud local. champion.

“I want to work with businesses to see our local economy grow. All our families have felt the economic instability created by the Tories. Liz Truss’ reckless mini-budget has increased the average mortgage in our constituency by £250. Work will pay back. economic stability and we will turn the page on the chaos and cost of living crisis founded by the Tories.

“My highest priority is to protect and rebuild our public services. 14 years of austerity and neglect have damaged everything from the police to education to the NHS. As a sepsis survivor I know how vital the NHS is to everyone. Labor will deliver 40,000 extra NHS appointments a week and reduce waiting lists.

“With living standards at record highs – I know our children deserve better. They deserve to have good quality schools with specialist teachers in every subject and mental health support when needed. Only Work can offer a brighter future to our young people. ; one where it is possible to buy a first home.

“We need a fresh start, real change and stability – and I want to bring that to Harborough, Oadby and Wigston.”

Liberal Democrat candidate Phil Knowles

“Cllr Phil Knowles. The HDC leader, the first Lib Dem in nearly 20 years to hold the post, is aiming to become the constituency’s MP.

“Widely respected, a campaigner with thirty years’ experience of delivering, as with New Harborough Hospital, Phil believes this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to elect an MP who is determined to answer the needs of the local community.

“It’s a chance to make a change. The Liberal Democrats have shown that we deliver for our community. I am determined to do that at Westminster. I share the concerns of residents and businesses – many of whom struggle daily. I ask people from all political parties. Specter and those with no political allegiance, please lend me your votes on the 4th of July. Help me make a difference to our community.

“Help me solve your problems. E.g. Lack of family doctor and dental appointments, struggles with hospitals and hospital beds. The challenges of ambulance calls and handovers. Cost of living crisis, schools, families to seniors. How can it be. are you right that for example many people need food banks just to survive?

“Businesses need a strong local voice – Locals need to see positive change for themselves and their families. I am the STRONG LOCAL CHAMPION who can deliver this”

“Phil intends to challenge anyone in positions of influence in the next parliament to commit to reviewing the Gartree Second Prison decision. Doesn’t it make more sense to build this new prison somewhere else?”

Also in the constituency are Danuta Bernadette Jeeves, for Reform UK, Robin Lambert, for the Social Democratic Party, Neil O’Brien, for the Conservatives and Darren Woodiwiss, for the Green Party. We invited all of them to submit statements for inclusion in this article, but we did not receive any from them by the publication deadline.