Good to be out on the doors in Winstanley today and lovely to see some good friends come over to help.
Life has been too tough for people in this borough for too long, but we are determined to turn this around.
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
Really?! You’re going for a second hit at this?
No one is flogging sex toys in parliament @KemiBadenoch - stop being so reductive.
Let’s take the shame out of sex, I have cross party support for my backbench debate.
Stop tying to use ‘sex toys’ to shame.
See our response to the news today about the sharing of a Facebook post saying Labour MP, Natalie Fleet, ‘should be shot’ - sadly, threats like this are all too common. Abuse and intimidation should have no place in our politics.
#Strictly Wow that’s what you call a ShowDance George that was truly outstanding from start to finish that’s definitely a 10 from me and Alexis wow you’ve brought George out his shell well done 👏🏻 #StrictlyComeDancing#StrictlySpoiler
So proud to have led this reform which will protect thousands of children & mothers from abuse for generations to come.
To survivors: you’re not alone. Speaking out is hard, but it’s powerful.
https://t.co/9zzTAo3How
🚨 NEW: The Modernisation Committee is planning to change Parliament's outdated and "confusing" language over fears it alienates the public
Terms such as Bill (proposed law), Division (vote), and Early Day Motions (used by MPs to raise issues) could all change
[@thetimes]
Every day, 10 babies are born from rape in the UK.
I’m asking the government to make sure convicted rapists are stripped of parental rights.
It’s time for a system that stands with victims, not shield offenders.
And I'll keep using my platform to make sure that victims are protected.
🎙️ Ever wondered what really goes on in Westminster?
👩🏻💼In Politics Inside Out, lifelong Labour friends Gloria De Piero and Jonathan Ashworth uncover politics with insiders who’ve seen it all.
Listen weekly on Thursdays.
https://t.co/TnA4oPTbfN