MP’s big decision after electoral boundary change
LABOUR MP DECIDES TO STAND FOR NEW SPEN VALLEY CONSTITUENCY
A KIRKLEES MP says she has had to make one of the biggest decisions of her life after plans to change the boundaries for electoral constituencies were approved.
Kim Leadbeater, who currently serves as MP for Batley and Spen, has decided to stand for the new constituency of Spen Valley.
The existing seat of Batley and Spen will be split between Spen Valley, and Batley and Dewsbury.
The MP described feeling “deeply disappointed” with the decision to split the constituency. She said that choosing between Batley and Spen Valley was “one of the biggest decisions of my life”.
She said: “Batley is a wonderful place and I have put a huge amount of effort into plans to breathe new life into the town centre, including helping to secure £12 million in levelling-up funding.
“By working together, local people, businesses, charities and community organisations have done so much to build a strong and cohesive community and it’s a great honour to work alongside them on so many projects.
“The Spen Valley is also a special place with its spread of fantastic towns and villages, each with their own identity and character, although many of the challenges across Batley and Spen are the same, whether it’s tackling crime, dangerous driving, parking and anti-social behaviour or the need to improve access to GPs, dentists, and the transport infrastructure.
“At the end of the day, I am Spen Valley born and bred and for me it has always been important to represent the place I am from and the people I live amongst and have done all my life.”
Other boundary changes in Kirklees include parts of Dalton, Kirkheaton, Upper Heaton, Bog Green and Cockley Hill moving to the Spen Valley constituency.
Kirkburton, Highburton, Stocksmoor, Shepley, Skelmanthorpe, Scissett, Clayton West and Emley come under the newly-created Wakefield West and Denby Dale constituency.
Crosland Moor and Netherton will also move from the Colne Valley constituency to Huddersfield. Jason McCartney MP will be once again standing for Colne Valley against Labour’s candidate – Kirklees Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate, Clr Paul Davies.
Mark Eastwood, current Conservative MP for Dewsbury, will stand for the new Wakefield West and Denby Dale seat after the Dewsbury seat was scrapped. Elsewhere, Harpreet Uppal is in line to replace Barry Sheerman MP as Huddersfield’s Parliamentary candidate for Labour.
I am Spen Valley born and bred and for me it has always been important to represent the place I am from Kim Leadbeater