JimfromOldham

I’ve signed the Friends of the Earth Climate Pledge

I was more than happy to sign this pledge after it was brought to my attention by a number of concerned constituents. The climate crisis is real, and we are seeing its devastating effects with the Australian Bushfires. This is only the beginning, we have seen an increase in the number of catastrophic weather eventsContinue reading “I’ve signed the Friends of the Earth Climate Pledge”

Let’s take back control of our buses

Today I have submitted my response to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s public bus consultation on their proposal to create a London style bus franchising system. I support the proposal that they have put forward, though I remain committed to the idea that our public transport system should be wholly publicly owned and publicly ran.Continue reading “Let’s take back control of our buses”

#NorthernFail

There aren’t actually any train stations in Oldham West and Royton, but thousands of my constituents use both Mills Hill and Moston train stations to commute into central Manchester. So I’m well aware just how poor the service is and just how poor it has been for the entire time I’ve been an MP. ItContinue reading “#NorthernFail”

Thank you to Oldham West and Royton

I am humbled and honoured to have been re-elected to represent Chadderton, Oldham and Royton in Parliament. I must admit that a December election, and my third parliamentary election in four years wasn’t top of my Christmas wish list, but I found it hugely enjoyable and it reinforced why I came into politics; for ourContinue reading “Thank you to Oldham West and Royton”

Access to your own money

I have added my name to this cross-party letter urging the CEO of Barclays to reverse their decision to remove cash withdrawal services from Post Offices. Free access to cash is something that has become a real issue in the constituency, with the closure of so many high street banks and ATMs many people areContinue reading “Access to your own money”

Brexit votes, again.

Today is another key date as parliament meets for a vote on the agreement reached by Johnson and the EU. I won’t be able to support this deal, it creates a hard border in the Irish Sea, hence the objection from the DUP, and as a United Kingdom Parliament we must consider the impact ofContinue reading “Brexit votes, again.”

What was the point in that?

I can’t help but think that yesterdays Queens speech was a waste of time for everybody involved. The Prime Minister doesn’t want to let this parliament sit for long enough to enact any of the legislation that the Her Majesty put forward. It’s clear to anyone that thinks about the issue that the whole ceremonyContinue reading “What was the point in that?”

Bus franchising is the way forward

I know, because constituents regularly remind me, that the state of the bus service in Oldham and the rest of the city-region isn’t fit for purpose. Today the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has begun a public consultation period on whether to press ahead with a franchising system in our bus network. Major cities all aroundContinue reading “Bus franchising is the way forward”