Over 5,000 people have signed the petition launched by Alicia Kearns MP criticising the decisions by the government on local government reorganisation.

Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Stamford, has described it as 'some of the worst possible outcomes for our communities across Leicestershire, Rutland and Lincolnshire.

'Rutland, England's smallest county, and our Harborough Villages are to be forced into a sprawling rural Leicestershire Council serving over 578,000 people in a donut around the city.'

'All the communities I represent have had cities put first,' continues Kearns, 'with our market towns, villages and rural communities treated as an afterthought.'

Kearns has been vocal during the whole local government reorganisation process, criticising Rutland County Council for their handling of the situation.

'This fight is far from over,' she said. 'That is why I am launching a petition and asking for your support. Every signature sends a clear message to the Government that we will not be taken for granted.

'Once I have gathered the signatures of as many residents as possible, I will present the petition of the floor of the House of Commons.'

According to Kearns, so far over 5,000 people have signed the petition, saying it is a 'huge show of strength and a clear message that our villages and market towns should not be treated as an afterthought.'

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