Now it’s “ambassador Jim”

JIM McMAHON MP: new local role

OLDHAM West and Royton MP Jim McMahon was last night appointed “Oldham Ambassador” to allow him to act as a direct advocate for the borough.

Mr McMahon will host visits and events in Oldham and in Parliament to promote opportunities across the borough. He will also chair and attend appropriate strategic meetings up to four times a year, and will liaise with Oldham’s other MPs to update them on activity.

Mr McMahon will undertake the voluntary role for four yearsm until 2020.

The motion heated up the council chamber last night as UKIP councillor Warren Bates opposed the proposal, accusing Mr McMahon of spending millions on “crazy schemes”.

“As leader of the council he has spent millions of hard-earned council tax payers’ money on refurbishment of our town hall, on Hotel Future, on the scheme to move the Coliseum and the mad scheme to convert the A62 Oldham Road from Hollinwood to Failsworth Pole into a single carriageway.

“I hope the new leader will look again at these crazy schemes without interference from Jim McMahon.”

Council leader Councillor Jean Stretton responded curtly: “I’m not surprised by that absolutely disgraceful intervention and I’m not surprised by the personal insults Councillor Bates chooses to fling across the chamber, because we’re getting used to it. Bbut we shouldn’t have to get used to it. Oldham deserves better. We deserve the ‘crazy schemes’ he’s talking about.”

Despite his comments, Councillor Bates didn’t vote to oppose Mr McMahon’s new role.