LAT WEEK I proudly attended the Duke of York’s Pitch at the Palace event, hosted at St Jame’s Palace in London. I was there to support our 3 local businesses, who have been selected to participate in this event.  

Continue reading “Pitch at the Palace”

I BELIEVE that the time has come to give 16 and 17 year olds the vote – and we are the cusp of historically extending the franchise! It’s already happening in Scotland and in Wales. So the Tory Government are quickly finding themselves on the wrong side of the debate, while Labour are yet again showing that they are the Party of the many. 

My Bill to lower the voting age will be debate on Friday November 3rd. The Bill will also include a requirement on Returning Officers to ensure reasonable steps are taken to register new voters and a requirement on schools to provide education on democracy and citizenship.

This Conservative Government are denying 1.5 million young people their full rights as citizens. At 16, you are eligible to pay tax, get married or even join the army. Our rights must reflect our responsibilities.

Last year, the UK voted to leave the European Union. Labour respects the referendum result and will fight for a Brexit deal that protects jobs, the economy and rights. However, the fact that 16 and 17 years olds could not vote on one of the most important decisions of their lives is a disgrace.

It is vital that young people are politically engaged. Extending the franchise will help increase turnout by inspiring young people to participate in political life from an early age.

The experience in Scotland has shown us how successful extending the franchise can be. 75% of those voting for the first time at the age of 16 and 17 turned out to vote. Even the leader of the Scottish Conservatives Party, Ruth Davidson says she is now a “fully paid-up member of the votes at 16 club”.

The Welsh Labour Government is currently exploring ways to extend the franchise to young people.  This presents a momentous opportunity to increase the pressure on the UK Government and strengthen the case for votes at 16 in England.

Next year we celebrate 100 years since the start of women’s suffrage. It was only in 1970 that the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18, allowing teenagers to vote for the first time in the UK. Prevalent then were exactly the same arguments that stop 16- and 17-year-olds voting today.

Austria is the only country in the EU where 16 years olds can vote in full general elections. There are some exceptions to this including Isle of Man, Jersey or Guernsey. However, we shouldn’t find ourselves cowed by this. Our past is littered with bold actions, proud speeches and even lives lost to win and defend the right to vote.

Votes at 16 is also a priority for young people. UK Youth Parliament voted it as the issue they wanted to campaign on in 2017.

The fact that there is cross-party support to lower the voting age shows that the political appetite for change is there. It’s been discussed in the past, and action has often been shelved. But now the time has come to make this a reality.

If we want to have discussions about civic engagement and educating a new generation in the importance of being politically aware, then empowering young people to vote is the springboard we need. Above all, it’s the right thing to do if we care about strengthening our democracy.

I will be working tirelessly with other MPs and young people to make sure we take this historic step forward.

British Youth Concil Convention Event in Preston.

Members of the British Youth Council.

It was fantastic to meet with members of the British Youth Council at the Youthforia Convention event in Preston. It was an ideal opportunity to discuss my Private Members Bill on Votes at 16 taking place on Friday 3rd November 2017. The Bill is a great opportunity to make headway on what has been historically a long campaign fighting for the rights of young people to be able to vote.

Decisions in Westminster increasingly affect young people and it is only right that their voice should not be ignored.

I made a call for action stressing the importance of the input that is required from young people to make this bill a reality. I have asked all my fellow MP’s to attend the bill in Parliament on the 3^rd of November but as young people you also have a right and the power to demand that your own local MP represents your voice in parliament on that day!.

I was asked to speak at the New Statesmen Event at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on the topic of The Northern Powerhouse joined by my colleague Alison McGovern MP for Wirral south.

As Shadow Minister for Local Government and Devolution I raised my concerns for the Governments Northern Powerhouse Strategy and my lack of faith in their ability to deliver meaningful devolution with the ability to make a real difference on the ground. The Northern Powerhouse has failed to devolve real freedoms, genuine financial reform and sufficient funding to redress the economic and social imbalances which exist. Furthermore, it is crucial that all of the North feels the warmth of growth and prosperity – not just the city-regions who will be electing mayors this year. The government’s devolution agenda has failed to reach the smaller cities and towns, let alone rural areas.

For more on my views on the Governments current Devolution agenda you can read my recent article for LabourList here: https://labourlist.org/2017/10/jim-mcmahon-northern-powerhouse-is-a-toxic-tory-brand-that-fails-on-devolution/

THE DECISION by government to reduce the number of MPs within a tightly defined remit has lead to proposals which has seen community ties disregarded and nonsensical constituencies created cutting through towns and boroughs.

Continue reading “Revised Parliamentary constituency boundary changes released”

During the course of the refurbishment of the Old Town Hall fixtures and fittings were removed from the then ‘safe room’, which was the former ball room with a steel door securing its contents from would-be-thieves.

When work started on the Old Town Hall to create the wonderful cinema we see today the old fixtures and fittings were taken away in to secure off site storage. I had the opportunity to view them a few years ago and came across the photos in my archive.

Continue reading “Looking back: Old Town Hall fixtures”

TODAY’S Prime Minister’s Questions was as boisterous as ever. It was also a first for me: the first time I’ve had the opportunity to ask a question to the PM since being elected as an MP. I chose to raise the issue of the lack of meningitis vaccine for all children, which led to the death of Layla Rose from Lime Side in Oldham. 

Continue reading “I asked the Prime Minister to answer for the Government’s failings on meningitis vaccine for children”

IT WAS great to meet with Nigel Whittle (Principal) at Oasis Academy Oldham to hear first-hand the important work they are doing to make sure all students achieve to their highest potential.

Continue reading “A great visit to Oasis Academy, Oldham”