People are feeling anxious in their own communities. They want to go about their daily lives in peace not fear.

Those who disrupt the fabric of our communities will face the full force of the law.

I talked about the violence we’ve seen recently in our country on Sky News this morning.

Violent protests over recent days have understandably caused anxiety and concern that further organised violence could occur, whipped up and spread on social media and messaging platforms.

Our democracy is built on the right to hold different views and to express them freely. The freedoms we have built up over generations are often tested by those who care little for the rights of the majority above their own agendas, toxifying already sensitive and difficult issues so they can exploit them further.

They care little for the issues they weaponise, as seen in the horrendous aftermath of the Southport attacks while most of us were devastated by the murder and serious injury of innocent children, others turned the streets into a battleground, attacking a local mosque and police officers trying to keep the peace. Local businesses and public buildings such as an advice centre and library have been attacked elsewhere.

While we take comfort in the community response seen to repair the damaged caused, no community should have to deal with the streets where they live becoming a battleground for hate and division.

The government has been clear that anyone engaging in violent protests will face the full force of the law, and that needs repeating alongside caution to parents to ensure young people do not find themselves caught up in events or encouraged to carry out acts of damage or harm by older adults.

The same caution is needed against any counter protests which may lead to violence or damage. The police and courts will be swift to ensure justice is felt by the offenders and that it is seen by the vast majority of innocent citizens who want to live in peace in the place they call home.

Our town knows too well the cost of division and fragility of peace.

All of us should be alert to the misdirection and fake news being shared online. It is designed to cause anxiety, division and provoke anger.

I have been in regular contact with both Greater Manchester Police and Oldham Council who are working to provide reassurance and to ensure that any risk of harm is monitored and acted upon.

*Constituency statement by Jim McMahon OBE MP*

It was fantastic to attend the re-launch of the Oldham Partnership today at the new Oldham Council offices in Spindles.

I discussed my new ministerial role in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, including what our new Labour government’s vision for local government and English devolution is, how this will shape the future for communities like Oldham, and what we have been doing so far to make that vision a reality.

Our new government wants every community across the country to be able to best position itself to capitalise on new opportunities and make use of its strengths and untapped potential.

Thank you for having me.

It has been a great last fortnight in government as Minister of State as we begin to deliver the change that working people across our country deserve, like constituents of mine in Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton.

Last week’s King’s Speech offered a bold and comprehensive plan to get Britain’s future back with measures to create wealth in every community, get Britain building, and hand power back to local people.

Our ministerial team went to Number 10 to meet with the Prime Minister to talk about our contribution to deliver the change the country voted for. Local government, our Councillors, Mayors and communities are central to our missions.

Angela Rayner and I took questions from councillors from across the country at the LGA forum, while we made clear that we were committed to resetting the relationship between local and central government.

We want to extend devolution not from the top down, but from the grassroots upwards, which is why Angela Rayner wrote to local leaders across England who still operate in devolution deserts.

I was also re-elected as Chair of the Co-operative Party last week. As part of the new government, the Co-op Party is determined to help drive co-operative growth and put bills that were in the King’s Speech into law which share power and ownership, protect and respect shopworkers, and ensure communities benefit from clean energy.

I ended this week at the launch of the Future Governance Forum where I spoke with the report authors about work on advancing the debate on devolution in England. This is an important time as we prepare the ground for the ground-breaking English Devolution Bill.

The last two weeks have been busy and inspiring, with big challenges to face head on, but with bigger opportunities that lay ahead too. Despite a difficult inheritance after 14 years of the Conservatives, we know that very exciting times still lie ahead.

It was great to visit Royton Town Hall yesterday to see its restoration nearing completion. The building is just one example of the Royton’s rich heritage.

The time and care put in by Oldham Council to restore it is a testament to the administration’s commitment to protecting our historic and valuable community venues, especially given the tough economic climate councils around the country have been operating under in recent years.

Oldham Council is rightly placing heritage at the centre of its plans for our borough.

This is an end of week thank you to my amazing constituency team for delivering a great Summer School 2024, I know how much work goes into making it a success.

And to the fantastic young people who attended for the time you gave and the way you engaged and embraced the opportunity.

And to the organisations who gave time during week to support it including Oldham Council, GMP Oldham, Ultimate Products, Manchester Evening News, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Parliament and the Sharp Project.