General Election - Meet the Candidates - Oldham West and Royton

Jim McMahon (Lab)

4 More Image(s) In Gallery

In Oldham West and Royton, Jim McMahon is hoping to keep his place. He is being challenged by Christopher Glenny (Conservative), Garth Harkness (Lib Dem), Adam King (Green Party) and Ruth Keating (UKIP).

JIM MCMAHON (LABOUR)

"It is vital we have a local voice making the case for our community in Parliament.

"I live in the borough and have had the privilege to have been supported by local people to be a strong voice for Oldham West and Royton. The thing that keeps me grounded and reminded of the job I've got to do is our town and its people. As well as living here my kids go to school here and I shop locally.

"I have worked hard as an MP, first and foremost helping the people of Oldham and holding the Government to account in Parliament.

"Since becoming an MP I have held 62 advice sessions as well as getting out of the office, holding 21 street stalls in Chadderton, Oldham and Royton.

"I've never been afraid to speak up for our community. So far we have helped residents on 2,130 cases, sending over 6,400 letters on their behalf and speaking in 81 debates.

"I have held the Government to account with 125 government questions in Parliament.

"We need someone who will stick up for you in Parliament, someone who understands why hard-working people like us need a government who provide ladders of opportunity; not a government that stops people getting on and doing well in life."


GARETH HARKNESS (LIB DEM)

"I am a local councillor, former maths teacher and lead at a resourced provision for children with autism.

"My priorities as a prospective MP are education, health and social care, protecting the green belt and Brexit.

"I will stand up for those who need it. The Liberal Democrats will invest in the fairest way.

"Education: Oppose the Tory lunch grab of nearly 8,000 Oldham children. We would invest over £36 million more into Oldham's schools and colleges, and triple the early years pupil premium (which helps the most deprived children).

"Health and social care: A penny on income tax invest an additional £25 million across Oldham and develop a long-term plan for integrating health and social care. I have been an advocate for mental health services and am pleased the Liberal Democrats would increase budgets to mental health care.

"Green Spaces: The Liberal Democrats are the only party taking the fight against the vandalism of our green spaces. We need a local plan and as your MP I would be calling that we look at previously developed land, buildings which could be converted, land with planning permission and long-term empty houses, and not concreting over our green spaces

"Brexit: A hard Brexit will shatter our economy, jeopardise investment and hit the poorest hardest. We need to protect jobs by staying in the single market and give people a say on the final deal.

"So, we can change the direction of the country by voting Liberal Democrat and get a decent opposition to this heartless government."

CHRISTOPHER GLENNY (CON)

"A married father of two, I have worked in business and politics for almost 20 years. As a school governor and as a mentor, I have worked hard to improve life in some of the poorest communities. I know how tough life can be.

"The election gives us the chance to look forward with hope. We have voted to leave the EU and we now need a candidate, party and leader that can deliver an outcome that will work for the country and for Oldham.

"It is rare for an election to hold so much importance. It will have more impact on the shape of the UK than any since 1945. The decisions made and deal negotiated will decide our wealth and dynamism for generations to come.

"Done well, our exit will ensure a strong NHS, well-funded schools for our children, good pensions, clean streets, good transport, police on the street and a strong place in the world, trading well and punching above our weight in diplomacy. Negotiated badly and all these things are put at risk. We simply cannot afford to get this wrong.

"Many of you may not have voted Conservative before but I promise that if you elect me I will stand up for all the people of this constituency. I will represent you honestly and fairly - and put your views forward with energy and persistency. Isn't it time Oldham gave the Conservative Party another go - after all Winston Churchill was a Conservative MP here and he did alright."

ADAM KING (GREEN)

"I am the only candidate running in the constituency under the age of 30 and this is hugely important because young people are greatly underrepresented in our current Parliament. I was born and bred in Chadderton.

"The Green Party manifesto focuses on improving opportunities in Britain for the young people of today.

"Along with the Green Party, I stand for zero privatisation of the NHS. We have a serious plan to tackle air pollution, including creating a new Clean Air Act, and expanding and funding a mandatory clean air zone."


RUTH KEATING (UKIP)

Ruth (53) is a mother-of-two who lives and works locally. She said: "An MP needs to be able to represent their constituents no matter who they vote for or how big or small their problems are. I would lend a listening ear to your concerns.

"I would focus on attracting businesses to the area. I would work in partnership with schools and colleges to provide and encourage our youngsters to take up apprenticeships. I would campaign for UKIP's policy of reducing the Foreign Aid budget and diverting that money into the NHS to be implemented."