I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election.
I grew up in this area and have lived here for 25 years. I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics.
Ten years ago, I decided to leave Westminster. Why? Because, after 16 years, I came to the conclusion that our national political system does not work for areas like ours. I learnt this fighting its failure to invest in the Wigan borough, for justice for the Hillsborough families and against its treatment of Greater Manchester during the pandemic.
Over the last decade, I have been challenging this failure from the outside and building a new and better way of doing politics. We have built Greater Manchester into the fastest-growing city-region in the UK and put buses back under public control, introducing a £2 fare cap to help people with cost-of-living pressures.
However, there is only so much that can be done from Greater Manchester. Much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again. This is why I now seek people’s support to return to Parliament: to bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people.
Millions are struggling and they need the Labour Government to succeed. It has already made changes to make life better for them in its first two years. After this week, we owe it to people to come back together as a Labour movement, giving the Prime Minister and the Government the space and stability they need as the by-election takes place.
I want to recognise the difficult decision taken by Josh Simons and the sacrifice he and his family are making. I have worked closely with him as Mayor on issues like flooding and illegal waste dumping and have seen first-hand how effective he has been. He has put the communities of Makerfield first, made a real difference for them and should take great pride in that.
Finally, I truly do not take a single vote for granted and will work hard to regain the trust of people in the Makerfield constituency, many of whom have long supported our party but lost faith in recent times. We will change Labour for the better and make it a party you can believe in again.
ENDS
These will be worth a pretty penny. Found in the corner of the loft and given a quick clean. The youngsters today have no idea how good these boots are. If anyone is interested in them let me know. I’m having a clear out 🇾🇪❤️
On this day 41 years ago, 54 Bradford City supporters and two Lincoln City supporters went to a football match and never returned home.
We will never forget those who sadly lost their lives, and as always, our thoughts are with their families and the hundreds still affected by the disaster to this day.
Always in our hearts. 🎗️
#BCAFC
In case you missed the news, BLACKBURN has joined the Shedcember X tour and is on sale TODAY at 10am!
Norwich has also now SOLD OUT and London isn’t far behind, it will go next!
Let The Good Times Roll x
So chuffed with how this shirt came out when @brandsintheair asked if I could print his own personal shed 7 design for him. Looks bloody amazing on this adidas shirt 🤩⚽️ #shedseven#britpop#indie
Shedcember X
“Because every couple of years, this is where we meet again”
Tour dates announced Monday at 10am
Sign up to the mailing list for exclusive pre-sale access: shedseven.com/signup
Photo: Tom Oxley
Running a competition for 2 tickets for my match Saturday morning and Sunday morning plus hotel stay in Sheffield Saturday night
Question….. what is my lowest score round an 18 hole golf course????
Winner picked tonight at 10pm
Good luck everyone
In the event of more than one correct answer winner will be drawn at random
One guess per person please
The MAN Savings app is starting to roll out 👀
Most of you miss deals because of the algorithm, so we built something to fix that.
All the best deals, drops and restocks all in one place.
If you want early access, reply APP 👇