Liz Kendall to host industry meeting

The Live Comedy Association is to hold an event at the Houses of Parliament next month, aimed at building political support for grassroots comedy.

The body has been working to get the government to treat the sector as a recognised part of the creative industries. 

The multi-party event will be sponsored by Liz Kendall, pictured, the Labour MP for Leicester West, who pointed to her own constituency as evidence of what live comedy can deliver. 

She said: ‘Leicester is home to Europe's largest comedy festival, so I am delighted to be sponsoring this parliamentary event. Since the Leicester Comedy Festival started in 1994 it has not just brought laughter to the city — it has helped boost the local economy too. 

‘It helps make towns and cities vibrant places to live in and visit, and brings a smile to people's faces.’

The date of the invitation-only event is still under wraps.

Jessica Toomey, co-chair of the LCA, said the event would be 'a landmark opportunity to work with our members and get cross-party support from politicians across the UK'. She added: 'There is a massive opportunity here for grassroots live comedy to be recognised alongside art forms like live music and valued for the contribution live comedy makes.'

Published: 8 May 2026