Appointment as a Vice President of the Local Government Association

I am delighted to be asked to serve as a Vice President of the Local Government Association.

Every year the four political groups at the LGA invite parliamentary representatives from the House of Commons, House of Lords, and European Parliament to be Vice-Presidents.

As a councillor for over 13 years and former leader I played an active part in the important work of LGA including offering peer advice and support to councils and serving as the Leader of the LGA Labour Group.
Now in Parliament I continue to fight the corner of local government as a Shadow Minister covering local government finance and devolution.

Universal Dis-credit


If a manual was ever written on how not to roll out a new benefit it would tell the sorry tale of Universal Credit.

Complaints to the government are so high that they don’t count them ‘owing to the volume!’

If you take out the politics of callous cuts, ludicrous sanctions targeted at those least able to take the burden the principle was sound enough. So rather than a complex range of benefits administered by various departments and agencies of government there would be a single straight forward benefit.Continue reading “Universal Dis-credit”

Campaigning citizens

It was a pleasure to meet volunteers taking part in the National Citizenship Service programme in Oldham.

Members of the group were highlighting campaigns they felt passionately about including homelessness and rough sleeping, mental health and wellbeing as well as tuition fees.

It’s great to see such active campaigners in Oldham – well done to all involved!

Oldham – By Royal Appointment

 

Budding entrepreneurs came to Oldham to take part in the Pitch at the Palace event at the newly opened Wayra and Hackspace project on Yorkshire Street.

It was fitting that the event was held in the new enterprise and tech hub, not least of all because of its historic name as York Chambers; an appropriate venue to welcome Prince Andrew, Duke of York to Oldham for his second visit.Continue reading “Oldham – By Royal Appointment”

UK Youth Parliament annual sitting

I was honoured to be invited to attend the annual sitting of the UK Youth Parliament supported by the British Youth Council.

Since selecting Votes at 16 as my Private Members Bill I have been keen to get out to generate support for the Bill and to hear first hand why young people feel so passionately about the issue.

The panel debate was engaging with questions relating to policy, personality politics and the changing role of the media in elections.

I took the time afterwards to ask Members of the Youth Parliament to contact their local MPs to secure support and attendance on 3rd November debate. Within a few hours Jess Phillips MP and Wes Streeting MP tweeted their support.