Today I nominated David Miliband to be Leader of the Labour party. Labour is lucky to have some outstanding candidates – people with real talent, commitment and passion – putting themselves forward for this election. I’ve talked to, read about and listened to the candidates before making my decision. I want someone who has got the vision, values and experience to lead us through Opposition and back into Government, and I think David is the person to do it.

David came to Leicester earlier this week, to meet young people working at Stride social enterprise on the Future Jobs Fund. David is passionately committed to creating real opportunities for every young person to develop and fulfill their potential. He understands this is the key issue in tackling inequality and creating a fairer society – and a major challenge here in Leicester West.

I’m urging people to join Labour to help us renew our Party and our country. Anyone who signs up before 8 September can vote in our Leadership election. A leadership hustings is being held in Leicester on 19th June – further details will be available soon.

My job as your local MP is to serve you, your family and your community.

I want to make it as easy as possible for you to get in touch with me and raise any issues, problems or concerns.

You can visit my office at 5 Frog Island, telephone me on 0116 251 6160, or email me at liz.kendall.mp {at} parliament(.)uk.

You can also book an appointment at one of my surgeries on Friday afternoons, or come along to one of the community coffee mornings I’m holding across the constituency.

For more details click here.

It’s two weeks since the people of Leicester West gave me the great honour, and privilege, of serving as their Member of Parliament. A lot has happened since May 6th, and I’m only sorry I haven’t had the chance to update my website before now.

Top of my list of priorities has been sorting out my surgeries so people can come and talk to me about any issues, problems or concerns. I’m holding regular surgeries at my office at 5 Frog Island, as well as coffee mornings for local residents across the constituency.

I’ve also spent quite a bit of time during the last fortnight in Parliament. Last week, all the new MPs got a briefing on how the House of Commons works, including how to ask questions on behalf of your constituents, how to scrutinise legislation, and how to propose and take part in debates.

I haven’t got a House of Commons office yet (all new MPs have got ‘hot-desks’ in a Committee rooms in the House of Commons) but I have got a laptop, and a new email address which anyone living in Leicester West can use to contact me from now on: liz.kendall.mp {at} parliament(.)uk

Earlier this week MPs re-elected the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow. The Speaker presides over the Chamber, deciding who speaks in debates, ruling on ‘points of order’ (when an MP questions whether a rule of the House of Commons has been broken) and generally keeping MPs in check, for example making sure they don’t stray too far off the subject that’s being debated, and telling them to be quiet (calling for “order, order!”) if they’re shouting too much for other MPs to be heard.

Today was one of the most important days for me so far, because I was ’sworn in’ as an MP. This means I can now officially take my seat in the House of Commons, speak in debates and vote. The next step is to make my ‘maiden speech’ which I want to do as soon as possible, so I can get on with the hob of representing the people of Leicester West in Westminster, and working hard on your behalf – both here, and in Westminster.

There’s lots more news I’ll be updating this website with – including how I’ll be playing my part in holding the new Government to account, and the election of a new Leader for the Labour Party which I want as many people as possible to have their say in.

So…this is it! Today is polling day and its your chance to vote for a better future for your family, your community, and your country.

It’s a big decision, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. I believe Labour is the right choice for people in Leicester West. We are the only party that will stand up for this area, and be on your side.

Labour will:

• Bring more and better local jobs here, by investing in skills, transport and IT, and supporting modern manufacturing.
• Give children a flying start in life, with more time off for new dads and a toddler tax credit.
• Help children in all our schools, with incentives to bring the best teachers here and one-to-one tuition for children who are falling behind.
• Make all our communities safe, with tough action on anti-social behaviour and more activities for young people in the evenings and at weekends.
• End the post-code lottery of care for older people through a new National Care Service, and re-link the state pension with earnings.

Click here to watch a short video about why people in this area are voting Labour.

So, exercise your democratic right, make sure your voice is heard, and vote.

Vote for a better, fairer future. Vote Labour on May 6th.

PS Don’t forget:

• Polling stations are open from 7am – 10pm.
• You don’t need your polling card, just your name and address.
• If you’ve forgotten to post your Postal Vote, you can take it with you to the polling station.
• Ring 0116 253 7374 if you don’t know where your polling station is or if you need a lift.