James Grundy exclaims 'Get Lexit Done' at Prime Minister's Questions

Speaking at Prime Ministers' Questions on Wednesday, March 29, the Conservative MP for Leigh, James Grundy, spoke about his 'Lexit' campaign that would see Leigh form its own local authority away from Wigan Council.

In his own local survey, the MP said, 90% of respondents agreed with plans to break away from the current local boundary.

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Mr Grundy has campaigned to keep areas of Leigh within its current boundaries, and to be taken out of Wigan Borough (Image: James Grundy MP)

In his speech, Mr Grundy said: "In my recent local survey as to whether Leigh should break away from Wigan Council, I am very pleased to say that so far, the survey shows 90% in favour, with only 3% opposed.

"Does my right Honourable friend agree that in the 50th year of our campaign for our town's independence, that this is the year to Get Lexit Done?"

Standing in for Rishi Sunak, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab responded: "I think [Mr Grundy] knows that changing the boundary at local authority level is subject to an independent process.

"But I will ensure he gets a meeting with the Minister for Local Government so that he can further discuss the aspiration for Leigh."

Leigh a part of Wigan Borough since local government reforms

Leigh was transferred into Wigan Borough in 1974 (Image: Wigan Council)

Formerly known as the Municipal Borough of Leigh since 1899, Leigh was subsumed under Wigan Borough following the Local Government Act in 1974.

Reorganising local authorities across the country, Leigh was transferred under the control of Wigan Council, along with districts such as Atherton, Hindley, and Tyldesley.

Since the government reforms in 1974, there have been similar, albeit limited, examples of towns trying to split from the borough they are situated in, including a proposed Bill to break the Shipley and Keighley constituencies away from Bradford Council in 2022.

However, there is no example of a council area in England being split to form two separate local authorities in the past 50 years.

Campaign for 'Lexit'

James Grundy with former PM Liz Truss, who he spoke to about 'Lexit' (Image: James Grundy MP)

Raising the issue of 'Lexit' numerous times since his election to Parliament in 2019, including to Ministers and Prime Ministers, Mr Grundy also spoke about the issue on the Northern Agenda podcast.

On the podcast, the MP said: "The people of Leigh have never felt that Wigan really represents their interests.

"Whilst we are neighbouring towns, we are also rivals, friendly rivals [...] we have two rival rugby teams.

"It feels like we have always been a minority in the borough. It feels we are the second-stringers, the second-class citizens."

He added: "If devolution means anything, it means local people being able to take control of the decisions that affect their town, sometimes for a few years or sometimes for a generation.

"There will be other areas in the country that wish to see devolution brought down to the very local level so we can direct the future path of our town in the most effective way."

While no local authorities have split since the government reforms 50 years ago, the MP went on to suggest that this could be a possibility if a town demonstrates enough support, it is viable, and the government support it.