OL1 have been a fantastic community hub since their establishment in 2015. The group is made up of volunteers who come together along with local stakeholders to see how better they can improve the area they live in with a goal of encouraging community growth.
Votes @ 16 visit to Hathershaw College
It was a real privilege to meet with Year 10 students from Hathershaw College in Oldham. The event was held as part of the ‘Equaliteas’ project (https://equaliteas.org.uk/) to promote democracy in the 100th anniversary of the vote for women.
Why Being Poor Can Cost the Earth
Originally published by the Fabian Society:
Our economy has been hollowed out. More families are in work but struggling to make ends meet as underemployment, job insecurity and low pay dominates the lives of too many. On top of that millions of people pay more of what little they have for basic goods and services.
Poverty premium means that people living in poverty or on a low income are often paying more for the same goods and services than people who are better-off financially. Research from the University of Bristol suggests that this could cost low income families on average £490 a year. Of course, averages can hide extremes. In its worst manifestations, poverty premium can cost some households over £1000 a year.
Some good news on Freehold Metrolink station!
The issues of anti-social behaviour on and around the Freehold Metro link has been a problem since the line’s opening in 2012. I since elected to Parliament have been liaising with TFGM and local residents to reach a solution to this issue.
Continue reading “Some good news on Freehold Metrolink station!”
Monthly update for May
From the local elections here in Oldham, to standing up for Shop Direct workers in Parliament, May has be an even busier month than usual.
Government finally take action on high-street gambling
The Government announced last week that the stake for Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) will be lowered from £100 to £2. This is a welcomed move!
It is encouraging to see the Government taking action on the evidence provided by the All Party Parliamentary Group, which I am a member of. The APPG and those involved in the campaign have been instrumental to shining a light on this issue.
This isn’t about taking away people’s fun and enjoyment, but it is about listening to the evidence that FOBTs are a corrosive and highly negative form of gambling. It is really not acceptable to be able to walk in off the street and stake such a high amount with no checks or safeguards in place whatsoever.
You can read more about this issue here.
May has been a busy month in the constituency!
It’s been a a busy month in Oldham – and we’re barely half way through. There have been my usual opportunities to get out and about across the constituency, as well as the important matter of the local elections at the start of the month.
Continue reading “May has been a busy month in the constituency!”
All Party Parliamentary Group on Votes at 16
THE CAMPAIGN for Votes at 16 continues with the setting up of an ‘All Party Parliamentary Group’ bringing together MP and Peers from Parliament.
It is chaired by our youngest MP Danielle Rowley and supported by the British Youth Council.
On the 11th May Pete Kyle MP will present his Private Members Bill and my own will be listed for the same day although I don’t currently expect a debate on it. Hopefully Pete Kyles Bill will get a fair hearing.
The Tories are moving slightly on expanding the voting franchise with former Conservative Secretaries of State for Education Justine Greening and Nicky Morgan backing it alongside George Osborne.
This is not about the age of maturity, as is commonly misunderstood, but it’s about citizenship, full democratic and political education in schools and developing the voting habit as soon as possible.
An informed electorate challenging those in power is good for democracy but as our democracy has remained disconnected people are voting with their feet and opting to often stay at home.
It is also the case, though obviously not with all voters, that the role of Parliament, local councils and even the judiciary is not always understood.
Young people will only have a real voice if they have the power of the vote. They have been significantly hit by political decisions and will be the now poorer than the generation which went before them.
Voters from 16 already have the right to vote in Scotland and soon the same will be offered to young voters in Wales. If you believe in a genuinely United Kingdom then we must have a united democracy.
Extending the voting age isn’t the answer in itself but it can be an important part of it.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 