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
OK I won't lie, I'm intrigued by the Oppo Find X9 Pro. Don't get me wrong, my S25U is awesome but the photos are a little bit meh. This thing is just 😱 https://t.co/woIfn0ccqO
OK I won't lie, I'm intrigued by the Oppo Find X9 Pro. Don't get me wrong, my S25U is awesome but the photos are a little bit meh. This thing is just 😱 https://t.co/woIfn0ccqO
The Supreme Court ruled that President Trump violated federal law when he unilaterally imposed sweeping tariffs across the globe, a striking loss for the White House on an issue that has been central to the president’s foreign policy and economic agenda.
https://t.co/WHyc7gwWaf
@BaronDestructo I always think back to BSG's miniseries but also for me, the pilots and midseasons are always punchier! Longer pilots give me more time to invest in the show, especially in sci-fi. Less than 45min for a sci-fi pilot 🤔
5 surely! Get smashed with Oberyn and Tyrion, watch as Jaime and Brienne eye-bang over the meade, bitchy laughing at the stares from Cersei, and then get Olenna to order an Uber-Cart XL to the nearest orgy! Done.
As someone who never played #RDR1, I'm pretty stoked for this, however I was hoping for a remaster or even a bundling with an updated RDR2 on current gen! But alas, I will be buying in Dec!
BREAKING: Rockstar has announced Red Dead Redemption for current-generation consoles and mobile.
Current-gen console users will get HDR support, 60fps gameplay and Switch 2 will bring 60fps with HDR!
The delay bothers me and we can't change it, but I expected something to keep the buzz. Exclusive interview, screens, T3, new website clips, RDR2/IV remaster...at the moment, the drama of the union stuff and the delay is just disenfranchising fans and it's getting stale. #GTA6
“Grand Theft Auto 6” has been delayed again, this time six months from May to November 19, 2026.
Rockstar Games owner Take-Two did not give a reason for the “GTA 6” delay but noted: “We remain both excited and confident they will deliver an unrivalled blockbuster entertainment experience.”
https://t.co/5xemYI3xXs