McMahon elected to top national role

Oldham Council and now LGA Labour leader-elect Jim McMahon

OLDHAM Council leader Jim McMahon has landed one of the top roles in local government.

He has been elected unopposed as leader-elect of the Local Government Association’s Labour group after an expected rival bid failed to materialise.

Mr McMahon will officially take over on July 8 from outgoing leader David Sparks, who is to become chairman of the LGA, the national voice of local government in England and Wales.

The role will see Councillor McMahon represent the party’s 6,778 councillors and 309 Labour groups in Westminster, spending around three days a fortnight in London. But he says his work in Oldham will always come first.

He said: “This is a big personal achievement and I’m humbled by the support I’ve received. This is further recognition that the excellent work members and staff are doing to improve Oldham Council’s services for residents is spreading nationwide. People should be in no doubt my priorities remain firmly focused on Oldham.

“I put myself forward for this role because I passionately believe local government needs a stronger voice. Local government has had a bad settlement from the centre and I simply couldn’t sit on the sidelines.”

Councillor McMahon was first elected as a ward member for Failsworth East in 2003. He was elected leader of Oldham’s Labour group in 2008 and became council leader in 2011.