TAKING the reins . . . Jim McMahon

STEPPING down . . . David Jones

by Janice Barker

It’s the generation game for Oldham Council’s Labour group which has elected its youngest ever leader — Jim McMahon, aged 27.

Councillor David Jones has handed over the reins to the younger generation, after his group was ousted from power in Thursday’s local elections, losing eight seats.

Many older, experienced councillors lost their seats, and Councillor Jones said at the time it was a chance for the younger generation to begin the succession.

Councillor McMahon, who last year became the youngest member of the ruling Cabinet at 26, will be confirmed as the leader of the opposition at the annual council meeting on May 21.

Councillor Jones decided to step down at the Labour Group annual meeting held over the weekend.

Councillor McMahon, who was 23 when he took the by-election in Failsworth East in 2003, the ward he has held twice since, said: “David is a remarkable politician and has achieved great things for Oldham and the Labour Group and will be a hard act to follow.

“I am humbled by the support from David and the group and my priority is to rebuild the party and the wider Labour party from the grassroots.”

“The elections meant the Labour Group lost a great deal of experience and senior councillors, I am pleased David has agreed to be on the shadow cabinet”.

Councillor Jones (61), who became group leader in 2000, said: “It was not an easy decision to make but I have always said that I am serving my last term on the council. Looking forward, it could be two or three years before we regain control of the council and I thought that the Labour Group would have the best chance with a new leader with new ideas to lead us into the next election and beyond.

“I am pleased the group has chosen a new leader who has proved himself to be hardworking and has earned the respect of people across the political divide.

“Jim has my full support and I wish him well.”

Following the defeat of John Johnson at the elections Peter Dean has been selected as the new deputy leader.

The full shadow cabinet is Councillors McMahon, David Jones, Jean Jones, David Hibbert, Steven Bashforth, Abdul Jabbar, Bernard Judge, and Ateeque Ur Rehman.     

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