Oldham has always been a place shaped by strong communities and working-class pride – but after the Tories failure to fix the housing crisis, too many people are being let down by an inaccessible and broken housing system that simply isn’t working for them.
In Government we are on with the job of addressing this: Building 1.5 million new homes in this Parliament, providing the biggest boost to social and affordable housing, reforming planning to speed up development, supporting first-time buyers and strengthening the rights of renters.
We need to build more homes – but just as importantly, we need to build them better.
The Co-operative Party’s new campaign #YesInOurBackyard is, therefore, about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about putting power back in local hands. Building homes that are shaped by the needs of our community, not the profits of developers.
In Oldham we have a deep and proud co-operative legacy, as founded in 1850, just six years after the Rochdale Pioneers, the Failsworth Industrial Society was one of the early co-operative societies established. We have a long history of self-organising for the benefit of our community, so we are uniquely placed to lead the charge.
This is about creating real change that people can feel: tackling poor housing, supporting strong neighbourhoods, and making sure that no one is left behind – both in Government, and in our community.
Housing co-operatives and community land trusts aren’t just ideas; they’re proven models that empower residents, foster pride of place and build resilient, supportive neighbourhoods. Community-led housing offers Oldham a real and practical solution from the bottom-up. By giving local people a voice in the design and delivery of new homes, and ensuring those homes remain affordable in the long term, we can meet the needs of our community.
To learn more about the Co-operative Party’s campaign click this link: https://party.coop/campaign/housing…
Jim McMahon OBE MP 