Rutland and Melton's MP has been recognised in POLITICO's Power 40 List for London in 2023.

Alicia Kearns, the Conservative MP for Rutland and Melton, has been listed at 14 in the Class of London 2023 Power 40 list compiled by the globally recognised political magazine, POLITICO.

The journal described Ms Kearns as "A little-known backbench MP until she saw off competition from Tory big-hitters Iain Duncan Smith and Liam Fox to land one of parliament's most prestigious backbench roles last year."

It continued: "Kearns has used the platform wisely, offering vocal but thoughtful commentary on foreign affairs and hawkish but nuanced views on China. No. 10 takes her seriously accepted her amendments to its long-awaited Procurement Bill, proving influence is possible from the backbenches if you know how to use your position. A ministership surely beckons."

This is POLITICO's inaugural Power 40 project, and the UK list was the first to be shared this week.

The list highlights individuals who are "really making things happen behind the scenes while the political leaders duke it out, who's quietly shaping the laws, setting the political agendas and sparking big public conversations in their respective fields, who you really need to try and bag a meeting with (or shamelessly steal tactics from) if you want to get a hearing."

Alicia Kearns said: "It was an honour to have been named by POLITICO as one of the top 40 people most effective at securing policy change and setting the agenda in politics in London."