Labour & Co-operative | Serving the communities of Oldham West, Chadderton & Royton
This week I got to visit the new Brian Clarke Academy site in Oldham Town Centre (and took in some fabulous views of Oldham too!)
An incredible team effort from the Cranmer Trust which includes Blue Coat in its family.
Delighted that over 80% of the first intake live within 2 miles making a school for the whole borough, as all roads lead to the centre from all over the borough.
I secured a debate in Parliament on the issue of child sexual exploitation in Oldham.
This is a long video but it’s vital to set out what has happened, what the recent report said, and what it didn’t.
Victims are the absolute priority in all of this. I wanted to be clear about what we need to do to support them in achieving justice and to ensure that anybody else affected comes forward as soon as possible.
Oldham is a town that is currently divided and hurting.
We must repair that division and bring our community together to ensure that the safe space is there for victims to have the confidence to come forward.
I won’t allow disinformation campaigns that seek to make personal financial and political gain, to prevent that from taking place and will not be intimidated by their tactics.
My message to the perpetrators, is that we are coming for you.
Jim
(Watch the full speech here: https://www.facebook.com/jimfromoldham/posts/pfbid038DoD3RW7aiCEcLDB7gwhDNKZHZ3h7ShpYzXeWqJM28EJhfqXLpGsVSAe6JHcocBil)
Upon the news that the Owners of OAFC and Boundary Park have come to an agreement with a local business to buy the club, Jim McMahon MP issued the following statement:
I’m delighted to see the news that a deal has been agreed for the takeover of Oldham Athletic Football Club, Boundary Park and the surrounding land.
After years of turmoil off the pitch I hope this brings the stability the fans deserve, to kick the club on and fight for their place back in the football league.
I look forward to welcoming the new owners to the community and working with them going forward.
Debbie Abrahams MP, Jim McMahon MP and Angela Rayner MP have released the following statement in response to the publication of the Oldham Independent Assurance Review:
“This is one of the most comprehensive safeguarding reviews undertaken and we welcome the recognition of the progress that was made in Oldham in shining a light on, disrupting and tackling child sexual exploitation and raising awareness to increase reporting.”
“It is an uncomfortable and disturbing fact that abuse takes place in every city, town and village and Oldham is not immune from that. The vast majority of victims are well supported, and professionals are working hard to meet increasing demand and changes to the nature and pattern of abuse as it develops. However, the report is clear that not all victims received the support they deserve, and one victim let down is one too many.”
“Our priority has always been supporting the victims, and as MPs we will continue to support victims’ right to justice when the system falls short.”
“Today’s independent review identifies that, whilst these incidents are not current cases, there is still work to be done in ensuring offenders face the full force of the law and the passage of time should not be a barrier to justice.”
“This independent review also addressed head on the false and often politically motivated conspiracy theories that claimed grooming gangs were operating under the protection of senior politicians. The review was clear that there is no basis for these accusations, and we are pleased that the report draws a line under this.”
“We hope today allows trust in the system to be rebuilt so that victims who have not already to come forward have the confidence to do so.”
Reference: 84392
Date Added: 31 May 2022
Closing Date: 1 July 2022
Job Title: Head of Office
Working For: Jim McMahon MP (Oldham West and Royton)
Location: Oldham
Salary: In line with IPSA pay scales
Length of Contract: Permanent after probationary period
Job Details
Jim McMahon, the MP for Oldham West & Royton, is seeking to recruit an experienced Head of Office.
The Head of Office will lead a small but extremely busy constituency office that provides casework support for around 8,000 cases a year. You will work with Westminster colleagues to support Jim’s work as a Member of Parliament and as the Shadow Environment Secretary and Chair of the Co-operative Party.
Excellent organisation, experience of managing staff and resources, communications experience, and driving licence/car essential. The position will involve flexibility, routine travel as well as evening and weekend work.
Key responsibilities
1) Managing and implementing the strategic objectives relating to Jim’s constituency work.
2) Providing administrative support to Jim, including the management of a complex diary in conjunction with the Senior Parliamentary Assistant and Political Advisor in Westminster.
3) Line management and mentoring of constituency office staff, including ensuring accurate personnel, budgetary and casework records are kept.
4) Leading on local media management/relations, proactively and reactively managing all communication channels including newsletters, website, and social media accounts.
5) Identifying opportunities and shaping local campaigns arising from incoming casework and issues affecting constituents.
6) Liaising with key local and regional stakeholders.
7) Providing detailed briefs for Jim on key local issues as required.
8) Devising and executing a constituency visits plan.
9) Accompanying Jim and/or representing Jim at constituency events (weekend and/or evening work will be required).
10) Dealing with complex correspondence and enquiries on Jim’s behalf.
11) Ensuring all legal and regulatory compliance
Key Skills and Experience
• Experience of leading a team and dealing with employment and payroll processes is desirable.
• Ability to manage budgets effectively.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet multiple conflicting deadlines.
• Knowledge of relevant office management, communication, and video editing software.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Knowledge and experience of working in a political environment and managing a wide range of stakeholders.
Upon appointment you will be required to comply with the Baseline Personnel Security Standard, undertaken by the Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO). See Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO) page for further info. MPs generally pay staff in accordance with IPSA guidelines.
Closing Date: 1 July 2022
Interview/Start Dates
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview as soon as possible after the closing date. Please also outline your notice period if applicable.
Application Details
Please send a CV (maximum 2 pages); and covering letter (maximum 2 pages) that details how your skills and experience make you suitable for this role, with reference to the responsibilities above to jim.mcmahon.mp@parliament.uk.
Reports of IT issues at the Royal Oldham Hospital, which was declared a critical incident, appears to have caused significant disruption and has massively impacted the running of Royal Oldham Hospital
This is of great concern to myself and Debbie Abrahams as MPs for the area and we have therefore written to the chief executive and the chair of the Northern Care Alliance seeking assurances that this is now being resolved and to ensure there are safeguards for the future.
Any constituents have been impacted by these issues at the Royal Oldham Hospital, should ensure the hospital is aware and please do get in touch with myself or Debbie so that we can ensure all issues are resolved as quick as possible.
Most of you will be aware of the longer pieces I have written in the past about the toxicity in Oldham’s politics at the minute, if not you can read them here – https://jimmcmahoncouk.wordpress.com/…/oldhams-toxic…/
Further to this, today myself and Debbie Abrahams MP have written to the Chairman of the Conservative Party to raise concerns about the conduct of members of the party in Oldham and their coordination with far-right political activists during the recent local elections.
There is significant concern from longstanding Conservative members, and Councillors, that the local Party has been infiltrated by those who want to mainstream a toxic and divisive political culture.
You can read more of my thoughts on this specific joint campaigning from my post immediately after the election here – https://www.facebook.com/jimfromoldham/posts/298837132440160
We cannot and we will not allow this nasty and divisive politics to take over our town, most of us in Oldham just want to get on with making our town a better place whilst others are determined to drag us all down into the gutter with them.
This morning I asked the Secretary of State to make a statement on food price inflation, and I was staggered by his response.
He sounded like a commentator rather than the Minister responsible for food security in this country
The reality for many people in Oldham and up and down the country is: work is no longer a route out of poverty after 12 years of this rotten Government. Too many people are working multiple jobs and still struggling to make ends meet, 68% of people in poverty are in work! Working is not a route out of poverty after 12 years of this rotten Government.
I see it in Oldham, people who are coming for food parcels now are not in temporary crisis, but permanent crisis, in debt! They’re wearing NHS uniforms, coming to collect food parcels to put food on the table.
Let’s look at the public sector you know, bear in mind, the NHS serve 140 million meals a year schools 600 million meals a year, prisons 90 million meals a year those cost inflations have an impact on frontline services as well as household budgets.
And for households, it’s on top of inflation, on top of energy on top of mortgage payments going up on top of petrol and diesel going up and on top of taxes going up.
And what intervention has the Government actually made in practice?
‘Take the bus for a ride for the day to keep warm’.
‘Try and live off 30p a meal’
or, ‘Do you know what, just work that bit harder and you’ll be fine’.
Well the number of working people in poverty is the highest since records began.
Watch more here ⤵
Jim McMahon OBE MP 