It is a very exciting day across the country as polls open for local elections, and also by-elections. I’m thrilled to be out knocking on doors supporting brilliant local candidates.

Now, there has been a lot of speculation on opposition groups claiming that elections in Oldham have been cancelled. This is point blank, not true. As part of the normal election cycle, local elections in Oldham are scheduled for 2026 and will go ahead.

Today is not a day to pander to opposition groups who prioritise political agendas that seek to divide over the best interests of their communities. I hope voters today will choose candidates who are dedicated to creating resilient, united and stronger communities, and they are our wonderful Labour candidates.

I have been very concerned over reckless road-bike use becoming more common across Royton, as well as there being a near miss recently on Ashton Road with three bikes racing on the wrong side of the road.

Reckless bikers have no regard for safety of themselves or of other people. The spike in this behaviour is not just a nuisance; it’s a threat to our families, our children, and our peace of mind. It’s got to stop.

That is why I have been in contact with the Roads Policing Unit at GMP regarding this issue. I was encouraged by their commitment to police these issues robustly because of the heightened risk they represent. Racing, wheelies, speeding, and other anti-social riding, will be prosecuted for Driving Without Due Care, Dangerous Driving and Excess Speed, all carrying penalty points and fines.

We’ve had enough of this lawless behaviour. That’s why I fully back efforts to seize and crush the bikes used in these offences. Under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act, the police can seize vehicles which are being used anti-socially, which would then be crushed at Greengate metals in the constituency. If you use a vehicle to intimidate, endanger or break the law – you lose it. Simple as that.

I encourage constituents to please report incidents so GMP can identify hotspot areas and crack down on these incidents. Particularly, any photographs or videos of offences can be used to allow retrospective action to be taken against bikers. Here is the submission portal

https://www.gmp.police.uk/…/campaigns/2024/operation-snap/

Our community deserves to feel safe. I will continue to support GMP in getting these bikes off our roads and clamping down on all forms of dangerous driving.

Health service inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have today published its follow-up report into the Royal Oldham Hospital after it was found to “Requires Improvement” in August last year, confirming it continues to require improvement.

The report recognises that the care and responsiveness of NHS staff in the hospital, caring for patients day-in, day-out at a Good standard. This is positive and I am sure many of us in Oldham can attest to how brilliant the staff are in the hospital, and how hard many work to look after patients.

However, concerns over the safety, effectiveness and the leadership at the hospital were raised as reasons why the rating was given – this needs to be addressed to improve the hospital overall.

The NHS has endured an incredibly difficult few years. During the pandemic, NHS staff went above and beyond, often working under impossible conditions to save lives and support our communities. The intense demand we saw during that time has continued to a degree, for example with A&E usage soaring and waiting lists peaking at 7.8 million. After 14 years of chronic underfunding under the Tories, NHS staff and hospitals are under immense pressure. Yet, they continue to work tirelessly. Their dedication deserves more than applause – it deserves real investment and meaningful support.

The Government has committed £22.6 billion to help rebuild the NHS. That money will make a difference to towns like Oldham; to improve patient safety, reduce waiting times, and support exhausted frontline staff. We are already seeing the benefits of this funding with waiting lists falling for 6 months in a row.

On a local level, we need to address the reports concerns and make sure we have a hospital fit for purpose and safe for staff and patients. Importantly, the funding includes £3.1 billion for capital investment, aimed at repairing and modernising NHS infrastructure, which in turn will improve building safety at the Royal Oldham.

Our community deserves the best. We deserve a hospital rated “Good” at least. Not because of ratings alone, but because it means people are getting the care and dignity they should expect.

I will raise this with NHS leaders and I’ll keep pushing to make sure Oldham isn’t left behind and that our Royal Oldham Hospital strives to improve to a “Good” rating in the next report.

As a local MP, and someone who like everyone else relies on local public services, I’ll do all I can to play my part in improving things for the better.

It is extremely concerning that Neo-Nazi group British Movement held an event in Royton.

It is an affront to those from the town who gave their lives to fight the Nazis and whose names are listed just a short distance at Royton Park.

This vile display is a stark reminder that the threat of the far-right is real.

Glorifying an ideology responsible for the deaths of millions has no place in our community. These acts of hate and division must always be called out and rooted out.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/neo-nazis-celebrate-hitlers-birthday-31494628?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ8NbhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHq_B1xkMl-F4_MVfMpNN63MmwMbG8ElB24SWO2pdQ8-7_03que2_ta2ePunB_aem_eMBDJCJxv91xXfuJbSHaVg

Fantastic to be out today in Runcorn to campaign in the by election and support our brilliant local candidate, Karen Shore.

We had lot’s of positive conversations about getting the country back on it’s feet again, and people were hopeful about the work we are doing in government – and excited to have a brilliant local and strong candidate to vote for!

It was great to have a strong Oldham Labour team out with us, my thanks to those who came out to support.

Less than a week till polling day!

This week I updated the House on progress on the waste dispute in Birmingham and the work done to clean up the city. It followed a significant effort by frontline workers, covering long hours to make a difference. It shows how critical waste workers are.

The fact is that Birmingham and fellow councils have rallied to turn things around. The military were never used to collect waste, and the Tories know that.

But what came out was more telling. It doesn’t take much for the Tory mask to slip and the disdain for vital working class jobs to show. Completely out of touch.

Thank you to those who came along to my advice surgery this week to raise concerns on a wide range of issues.

If you would like to book a surgery appointment and are a constituent in Oldham West, Chadderton & Royton, please contact my office at jim.mcmahon.mp@parliament.uk.

Although it’s been a shorter week due to the Bank Holiday on Monday, it’s certainly been a busy one, with Parliament returning on Tuesday. I’ve had a series of internal meetings, including discussions around local government reorganisation. In all of this, my focus remains clear: to ensure we bring in clearer and more effective structures and balancing the need to reflect identity, belonging and need for new councils to be sustainable for the future, so that we deliver the best possible outcomes for residents.

During the Easter recess, I made several visits to Birmingham – meeting with local leaders and seeing first-hand the communities most affected by the ongoing waste dispute. I’ve continued those conversations this week, and on Tuesday, I responded to an Urgent Question in the House on this issue. While the situation remains live, I’m encouraged by the swift action already taken – particularly the removal of over 26,000 tonnes of waste. It was important to reflect on that progress in the Chamber and to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to working alongside the Council to build a waste service that is fair, sustainable, and reliable – what every resident rightly expects and deserves.

On Wednesday, the regular department board meeting took place where the Deputy Prime Minister oversees the teams progress on the priority areas, for me this includes devolution and local government finance mainly, as well as supporting local investment and growth.

I had the honour of attending a Requiem Mass in tribute to Pope Francis – a powerful moment of reflection on his lifelong commitment to peace, unity, and the care we owe to one another. May he rest in peace, and may his example continue to inspire us all.

In Parliament, progress was made on legislation to ensure sentencing guidelines are based on the actions of an offender – not their race, religion, or cultural background. There was also measures to strengthen the UK’s banking resilience by empowering the Bank of England to stabilise failing smaller banks through a targeted levy on the sector.

It was also the week for my regular catch up with Local Government Association Chair Louise Gittins on a range of vital issues like the financial sustainability of councils, SEND and adult social care funding, and a wide range of other issues affecting the sector.