LOCAL politicians are giving their support to Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership contest.
Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham West and Royton, and Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, along with Cllr Sean Fielding, leader of Oldham Council, met the frontrunner during a recent visit to the borough.
The day started with a tram journey from MediaCity before a visit to the Primrose Bank community centre for a tour of the facilities and even helping prepare food for the day.
The next stop was a walk through Oldham town centre, where there were opportunities to meet both the general public and members of the Labour Party.
Mr McMahon said: “I am really grateful Keir found the time to come to Oldham during what is sure to be an immensely busy time for him and his team.
“We had an opportunity to see some of the fantastic voluntary work done at Primrose Bank community centre and spent most of the day talking with members of the Labour Party and of the public about what towns like Oldham have to offer our country going forward.
“I believe Keir is the right person to be the next Leader of the Labour Party and our next Prime Minister.
“He has demonstrated over the last three years his leadership skills, but most importantly his ability to listen to what it is people want.”
Leader of Oldham Council Sean Fielding added: “It was fantastic to sit down with Keir Starmer on his visit to Oldham.
“In the general election many places not too dissimilar to Oldham chose not to vote Labour for the first time in a long time, ever in some cases.
“It’s absolutely critical that whoever is the next Leader of the Labour Party is comes to towns like Oldham and listens to what people have to say.
“I took the opportunity to raise some of the frustrations that me and my colleagues in local government have with Westminster.
“Labour councils across the country are showcasing what Labour in government can do and we’re not shouting loudly enough about it.”
Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, commented: “It was great to welcome Keir to Oldham again and give him my backing to become the next leader of the Labour Party.
“I believe Keir has the right values and vision to set the tone for the kind of country we want to live in and that he is ready to address the inequalities that persist across the UK under the Tories.
“We need a leader who will help us engage with, and empower our communities, and Keir is the person to make this happen.”