“Serious doubts” about Labour candidate Willmott after he snubs his own supporters

Rushey Mead Labour group has called for Mr Willmott to resign from Leicester City Council, as it does not believe he can represent constituents at the same time as he campaigns, but he says he has no intention of quitting.

Instead in the run-up to polling day, he plans to take six weeks’ paid leave from his £50,000-a-year job as city council leader to campaign in North West Leicestershire, much to the disgust of opposition leaders and the public who think it is unacceptable for the city council to be without a leader for that duration.

“Why should the Leicester city council taxpayer fund Ross Willmott’s six-week holiday to fight a General Election?” asks Andrew Bridgen.

Mr Willmott has previously argued that he is able to campaign to be an MP while being a councillor because the latter is not a full-time job, a statement that attracted heavy criticism due to his hefty salary as city council leader. Leicester people are unhappy that he plans to take an extended period of leave on full pay.

Andrew said: “What does it say about Ross Willmott’s attitude to public service that he views being a city council leader as a part-time job, which he expects payment for when he’s not there. Can the voters of North West Leicester trust a candidate who treats his electorate in Leicester with this sort of contempt? Ultimately it will be for the voters in North West Leicestershire to decide for themselves on Mr Willmott and his priorities.”