Leicester East General Election candidates tell you why they think they deserve your vote

General Election candidates in Leicester South have set out why they believe they deserve your vote. With the General Election looming, LeicestershireLive has approached parliamentary hopefuls across Leicester and Leicestershire’s 10 constituencies to give them a chance to address local voters.

Some 10 candidates are vying for the ward which will either see a new MP take the reins, its first non-Labour win in more than three decades or potentially the two combined. Claudia Webbe won the seat in 2019, but was expelled from the party after being convicted of harassing Michelle Merritt, a friend of her boyfriend, Lester Thomas.

Ms Webbe received an apology from the Crown Prosecution Service after an independent body found it had failed to correct reports she threatened to throw acid over Ms Merritt, which she did not. She finished her term and is running as an independent

READ MORE: All the Leicester and Leicestershire General Election 2024 candidates

Also vying for the seat is her predecessor in the role, Keith Vaz who will be running for the city’s newest party, One Leicester. Mr Vaz also left the Labour Party in disgrace. He retired from Parliament after offering to get drugs for prostitutes. It was recommended by other MPs on the Commons Standards Committee that he be suspended from the Commons for six months because his scandal had caused “significant damage” to the reputation of the House of Commons.

Labour, the Conservatives, the Greens, the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK have also put up candidates. Three additional independent candidates will fill the remaining ballot options in the constituency when the country goes to the polls on Thursday, July 4.

Polls show Labour is currently predicted to hold the seat. Find out what your candidates have to say below.

Labour candidate Rajesh Agrawal

“Choosing who to vote for in Leicester East has never been more important. And it’s time for a fresh start. Like many in Leicester East, I arrived in the UK with very little. I worked hard and always sought ways to give back.

“It’s not just my experience as a first-generation immigrant, a successful entrepreneur, and former deputy mayor of London that makes me the best choice to represent you — it’s my determination to create a fairer, more equal society for all. My priorities have always been to remove the obstacles to success and get things done.

“I know how to attract national and global investment into our local economy that can create more secure jobs and improve the prosperity of all our communities. I will fight to improve our public services, including the vital access to GP appointments and NHS dentistry that we all need.

“For seven years I served as London’s first Hindu deputy mayor for business, working hand-in-hand with Sadiq Khan, the first Muslim mayor of one of the world’s most diverse cities. You can count on me to promote inclusivity and challenge divisive rhetoric at every turn. Promoting community cohesion will be at the heart of all I do.

“My work will be for the benefit of everyone in Leicester East; I will be rooted in our communities and your voice in Westminster. I would be honoured to receive your vote.”

Liberal Democrat candidate Zuffar Haq

"Leicester is one of the most diverse, vibrant and compassionate cities, which is where I was born and had the pleasure of growing up, taking advantage of the opportunities our great city once had to offer. Sadly, over the last decade, much of what we have known to be great has been lost, due to lack of investment and poor decisions and planning by central and local government.

"Job opportunities, our NHS, social care, education and housing have all suffered in our once great city. Investment is vital, creating jobs to support the economy and allow people to be able to afford to feed their families and heat their homes.

"Recruiting more doctors and nurses, allowing people to access NHS services quickly when the need arises. Invest in the education of our children to provide them with the best opportunities possible for their future. Invest more in affordable housing and ensure rented properties are fit for purpose.

"Keep demanding that the government strives for lasting peace in Gaza. There is a real choice in Leicester East for the first time in decades. An opportunity for real change and a brighter future for our city.

"If I become your MP for Leicester East, you will have a strong voice in Parliament. My commitment, hard work, care and compassion is what I will give to all our communities, in order to make our city great again. We need to work together for a fairer more prosperous society."

Green Party candidate Mags Lewis

"I’m a first generation immigrant, who is proud to have lived in Leicester for over twenty years. I am standing because it is clear the people of Leicester East have been let down locally by Labour, and nationally by the Conservatives, who between them have lead to the Midlands being ignored and side-lined, with Leicester receiving one of the the worst per head investment levels by Government in the country.

"Child poverty levels have soared, with 40 per cent of children in Leicester living in poverty. The Green Party have pledged to end the two child benefit cap, lifting many out of desperation overnight.

"There is a housing crisis, yet Labour have left hundreds of council houses in the constituency to deteriorate for four years, boarded up in Hospital Way. Real change and real hope are only possible through an MP with a national party with a fully costed manifesto, and both Labour and the Tories are offering much the same.

"They both force their MPs to vote along with their party, whatever damage that does for us here in Leicester. The Green Party is not whipped in this way, so I can and will fight for Leicester East."

Independent candidate Khandu Patel

“I make no apologies as the insurgent candidate. I know my sums as a graduate with BSc Mathematics and a career in the Civil Service. I know the business of government and politics. I demonstrated the hall mark trait of courage demanded by Plato.

“What is happening to our great country concerns me enough for me to stand. My Hindu family came to the UK less as immigrants but to a new home and made most welcome. I believe this is the sentiment of Hindus. It irks us that the country has been hijacked with the goings on in Gaza and the general state of disorder.

“This election takes place with confidence at the lowest ebb in British politics. The Conservative Party is the agent of its own self-destruction. In its arrogance it is heading for a car crash. The Labour Party, the substitute player in our Parliamentary democracy in a losing match cannot turn the game round.

“The country feels it has only bad to worse choices. There is an absolute need to revisit the political and constitutional settlement. Your vote can powerfully send the message of votechange.co.uk that it cannot be business as usual.

“One thing I am absolutely clear about. Those people picked up illegally crossing the English Channel will not be disembarked in the UK but landed back to from where they originated. The Labour Party’s Border Force Command is meaningless, it is subjected to the Kings Regulations.”

Conservative candidate Shivani Raja

“I’m Shivani Raja, proud to be first-generation British, born and raised in Rushey Mead. My parents arrived from Kenya and India to the UK in the late 1970s. Their story is one of hard work and dedication, contributing to their new community while preserving our rich cultural heritage.

“Growing up, I attended Herrick Primary School and Soar Valley College before completing my education at De Montfort University. The strong foundation my parents and this city provided has fuelled my passion for public service and community development.

“I understand the unique challenges that Leicester faces. I am deeply committed to unlocking the immense potential of our diverse city. I believe in bringing innovative leadership that unites all communities, especially those that have been overlooked for far too long.

“After decades of Labour leadership, we've seen local industries decline, businesses close, and young talent leave the city in search of better opportunities elsewhere. I am determined to change this.

“As a local resident, I genuinely care about our city and our neighbourhoods. I share the same frustrations and hopes as everyone across Leicester. I promise to bring fresh perspectives and practical solutions to the table.

“By placing your trust in me, you will have someone who prioritises our community, promotes job creation, and nurtures a future where our youth can dream and thrive right here in Leicester. I am dedicated to making Leicester a place of opportunity for all, driven by a vision that is as inclusive as it is ambitious.”

One Leicester candidate Keith Vaz

“It was the greatest privilege of my life to serve as your MP for 32 years. I love Leicester. Today I am shocked by what I see.

“Despite so many opportunities, Leicester is unrecognisable and on the edge of bankruptcy. Instead of being a City of the Future, it has become a city of closed high street shops, traffic congestion, areas of crime and over 6,000 people on the housing waiting list.

“The Labour mayor announced he will close the celebrated Leicester Market at its current location and move it elsewhere and has threatened the funding of our most famous event, the Diwali Lights Switch On. Are the Christmas Lights next?

“Millions of taxpayers’ money has been spent on international wars. It is deplorable that both the Tories and Labour have identical policies on Gaza, where thousands have been killed.

“Leicester East needs someone with experience, dedication and a strong voice who will fight for you. My job has always been to listen, act and get things done.

“Many people have urged me to stand again. I have decided to do so and accept the nomination of One Leicester to be their candidate for one more term. I promise to put Leicester first and party politics second.

“The only people who matter now are you and your family. We cannot stand by and watch the slow decline of our great city and country. We must take action now. Please help me and One Leicester take the country and city forward.”

Independent candidate Claudia Webbe

“Fourteen years of Conservative cuts, including five years, in coalition with the Liberal Democrats have damaged and ravaged our economy, our communities and public services. Labour is in lock-step with the Tories, offering no investment, no reversal and no real change. People are sick of the pro-privatisation, pro-cuts, pro-billionaire consensus.

"We need a firm break from the current political consensus. I am born and bred here and will be a strong, fearless, independent voice for real change. My independence means I’ll listen to the people of Leicester East and put them first and not be held hostage to a party whip or serve narrow party agendas nor corporate donors.

“I stand for principled politics and will always speak truth to power. I’ll work to tackle real issues affecting our community, from low pay and exploitation in the garment industry, the demise of our high streets and closure of local services.

“I’ll also strive to end the privatisation of our NHS, champion the need for a national care service, invest in our children and young people, tackle the climate emergency, tackle homelessness and speak out for justice for Palestine, calling for a lasting, permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Ours is not just a class struggle. Ours is a humanity struggle.

“With passion, integrity and dignity, I will be that independent voice for Leicester East, I’ll demand real change, true justice and a reversal of the inequality that has enriched a few, while the many struggle.”

Also running for the seat are independents Malihah Adam and Nags Agath, and Raj Solanki for Reform UK. LeicestershireLive was unable to contact Mr Adam for a comment. We did not receive a response from the remaining candidates by the publication deadline.

This article has been updated with comments from Zuffar Haq and Mags Lewis, received after publication.