Liz Truss has vowed to 'consult the people of Leigh ' over proposals for the town to break away from the control of Wigan council. The Tory leadership front-runner was questioned about 'Lexit', as the move's been dubbed, at a hustings in Leigh last night.
Asked by Shelley Guest during The People's Forum With Liz Truss broadcast by GB News about the 'phenomenal costs' and a possible council tax rise if Leigh were to go it alone, Ms Truss said: "I have spoken to [Leigh MP James Grundy} a lot about this. He is very much a proponent of Lexit and the independent republic of Leigh and he's a passionate advocate for it.
"We do need to look at local government and we do need to make sure it's as local as possible and we do need to make sure people have control over decision-making powers. Sometimes these arguments are made that it's much better to have a mega-authority, it's much more efficient.
"But if it takes power away from people and if they feel it's being exercised by a distant authority then it just doesn't work. I will consult the people of Leigh and, if I'm elected as Prime Minister, I will appoint a local government secretary that is able to look at that."
Writing on Facebook after the event at Bedford Sports and Social Club, Mr Grundy said: "Great to see Liz Truss in Leigh tonight at Bedford Sports and Social Club for the GB News #PeoplesForum Event! I'm so proud that Leigh is at the heart of choosing our next Prime Minister! Leigh has well and truly been put on the map.
What do you think? Have your say in our comments below.
"Special thanks go to the Labour activists who infiltrated the event and raised the issue of #lexit. Very pleased to say Liz reconfirmed her commitment to an independent Leigh when asked! Bit of a backfire there guys!"
Ms Truss' pledge comes a few months after incumbent Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the same, telling Mr Grundy in Parliament that he would do 'anything I can' to help his Conservative colleague's bid to 'escape' the control of Wigan Borough Council.
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