London
Rajesh Agrawal, the Deputy Mayor for Business in London of Indian origin, has secured the Labour Party’s nomination as the parliamentary candidate for Leicester East. The constituency, marked by a significant South Asian population, witnessed intense Hindu-Muslim clashes in 2022 following an India-Pakistan cricket match. Agrawal’s selection occurred at a hustings held on November 18 for Labour members in the area. Reflecting on his selection, Agrawal expressed the need to reset Leicester East with a Labour MP dedicated to delivering for all residents. In his campaign statement, he emphasized being passionately pro-business and pro-worker, aiming to attract transformative investments and bridge regional cultural, economic, and religious differences. As London’s Deputy Mayor for Business, Agrawal highlighted his success in attracting international investment, creating jobs, and improving employment conditions. Focusing on his priorities as an MP for Leicester East, Agrawal outlined plans for affordable housing, fostering community cohesion, job protection, advocating for fair pay, and enhancing the overall standard of living. His selection comes amid reports of potential independent candidacies by former Labour MPs Keith Vaz and Claudia Webbe, a development that could impact the electoral landscape in Leicester East.
