Hero’s welcome for new MP Jim

Date published: 09 December 2015


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OLDHAM West and Royton’s newly-elected MP Jim McMahon was officially sworn into Parliament yesterday.

Mr McMahon (35) was greeted by Labour MPs outside Parliament led by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for his first day in his new job. he was sworn in at the House of Commons in front of of his fellow MPs, including Mr Corbyn.

Denton MP Andrew Gwynne, who ran Mr McMahon’s by-election campaign, and Ashton and Failsworth MP Angela Rayner stood either side of the Oldham Council leader as his two sponsors. Mr McMahon made the oath before House of Commons speaker John Bercow personally welcomed him.

Speaking afterwards from Westminster Mr McMahon said: “This is absolutely overwhelming. It’s a massive privilege to be here representing my friends and family and my neighbours.

“It feels a little surreal; it’s a big moment. The whole experience has been a bit full-on. I feel as though I was straight from the by-election to Westminster.

“I’m a national MP now but my commitment is to Oldham. This is, and always has been, about getting Oldham a fair deal.”

After being sworn in, Mr McMahon voted in favour of 16 and 17-year-olds having a vote in the European Union referendum.

Mr Corbyn said: “Jim McMahon is elected MP for Oldham; he’s from Oldham, he’s part of Oldham, he’s absolutely of the community. He fought a campaign on behalf of the entire Labour party and the entire Labour party supported him. We got an incredible result.”