Meacher sets sights on one more chance

MICHAEL Meacher has confirmed he wants to stand again at the next election.

The Oldham West and Royton MP, who has represented the borough since 1970, said he was more excited than ever by politics.

He said: “I would intend to do one more session, partly because I am very keen that we do get one more chance. Since 1979 we’ve had conservative governments all the time. It hasn’t changed, just for 13 years it was New Labour. Enough is enough. I would dearly like to see something that is closer to what I think would make a happier, more successful, more competitive and more harmonious country.”

Mr Meacher also said he underestimated how far Tony Blair was going to change the direction of Labour and dubbed him a Conservative politicians “who seemed to be in the wrong party”.

Under proposals last year from the Boundary Commission, there will be just one parliamentary seat containing the name Oldham for the 2015 election. The new seat — Oldham and Saddleworth - would take over three-quarters of the current seat held by Debbie Abrahams and part of Michael Meacher’s Oldham West and Royton seat. The remaining 75 per cent of Oldham West and Royton would be split into three of new drawn Middleton, Rochdale South and Ashton-under-Lyne constituencies. Final decisions have not yet been made.






Follow us on Twitter - @OldhamChronicle