Labour leadership candidate and Leicester MP Liz Kendall used a keynote speech to praise the work DMU does to raise aspirations – and said it should be used as a model to inspire the rest of the country.
Ms Kendall chose DMU as the venue to publicly state how she would lead the Labour Party stressing education had a vital role to play in helping children realise their ambitions.
The Leicester West MP has been a vocal supporter of DMU’s Square Mile scheme, which draws on the skills of students and academics to raise the aspirations of residents living at the heart of her constituency.
Much of the work is centred around schools in the area with DMU students and academics acting as mentors for children in primary and secondary education, teaching them everything from reading and writing to computer programming and Mandarin.
Ms Kendall, whose speech was covered by national media including BBC, ITV and Channel 4 news, said: “This city and this university says so much both about the challenges we face in eradicating decades of inequality and the new and inspiring ways we need to work to ensure everyone achieves their potential.
“I’m here because I want the work we’ve done together here in Leicester to be a model for Britain’s future.
“At DMU you are relentlessly ambitious for your students. You’re passionate about giving all young people the best possible education, unleashing their talents and preparing them for life after university.
“To achieve this, you work with others – like the Square Mile project.
“We’ve brought together DMU students with local schools and parents to mentor and inspire talented kids – many of whom would never even dream that they might be good enough to study at university let alone become a designer, doctor, lawyer, accountant, photographer or actor.
“We know education opens doors that would otherwise remain tightly shut.”
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Following her speech Ms Kendall added: “I think what you have done at DMU in inspiring your students and working in the community is a model for us across the country.
“You know mentoring and supporting children in schools helps equip students with the skills needed for the world of work.
“But you also know the importance of encouraging children to be the best and the brightest by going on to study at DMU.
“You are an inspiration to me and I want to drive forward with what has been achieved here and use it as a model for the rest of the country.”
Ms Kendall was the first Labour MP to announce she would be running for leadership of the Labour Party following Ed Miliband’s defeat in the General Election, which led to his resignation.
She is currently 5/1 to win the race, just behind the two frontrunners, Andy Burnham and Yvette Cooper.
Posted on Friday 29 May 2015