Steve, Jane and Tom in Stretford
Steve, Jane and Tom in Stretford

It would be impossible not to start my latest update without referencing the outcome of the General Election.  At a national level we now have a Labour Government in place with a substantial majority.  Although it’s not even been a week, I’ve found the pace, enthusiasm and policy direction taken by new ministers very refreshing.  The relationship between local and national government is already in a much better place than what we experienced under the previous UK Government.  Although the new Government has inherited a very challenging set of circumstances, I feel much more optimistic for the future.

At a local level it was great to see Andrew Western and Mike Kane re-elected, now both appointed as ministers too!

One of the biggest highlights of the night for me was seeing Connor Rand elected as the first ever Labour MP for Altrincham and Sale West.  Connor worked incredibly hard over the course of the campaign- knocking on thousands of doors, attending many hustings and meeting different community groups.  I know he will be an amazing MP for the area and a powerful voice in Westminster.  I look forward to working with him.

Another highlight of the campaign were the wonderful local activists from across the constituency.  They invested so much time and effort into the campaign and were rewarded by the result.  Elections always serve as a reminder to me of how much we owe to the residents who vote us in and the activists who support us along the way.  It’s important that all of us who have the privilege of holding public office keep that in mind.

One person who I wish could’ve seen Connor elected last week is my friend and colleague Jane Baugh. Jane came within 1500 votes of winning Altrincham and Sale West back in 1997.  I remember being there at the time and how, in her own words, ‘we almost made it’.  This time we finally did, thanks to the local residents putting their trust in Connor and a long line of activists who never gave up hope.  Some were in the room for Connor’s victory, others are no longer with us but remembered with great fondness.

Another local champion in our thoughts again this week was Sir Tony Lloyd, who many will know started his political journey as a Trafford councillor before being elected as MP for Stretford in 1983.  Many people across the Stretford area were very sad to learn of his death earlier this year and it was therefore not a surprise to see our new square in Stretford Town Centre named after him following a public vote.  It was an honour to reveal Lloyd Square as the name and I’m delighted that Judith Lloyd could join us for the occasion.

The square naming announcement formed part of the first ever Stretfest.  This was a brilliant festival organised by the Stretford Town Centre Forum with activities taking place in different areas around the centre of Stretford.  I enjoyed campanology at St Matthew’s, Stretford Brass Band in Victoria Park, a screening of Bill Mather’s film about Stretford House, and the transformation of our sun loungers into a performance space.  Our Stretford sun loungers received national attention earlier this year, but I feel they have proved their worth ever since.  They were installed as part of a range of street furniture as an unattractive dual carriageway is transformed into a much better space for everyone.  I’m delighted to see so many people enjoy Kingsway as it is shaping up- there’s still a bit more work to do but the end result will be worth it.

Highway schemes like Kingsway require a clear vision and so it was appropriate that we celebrated local resident Ernest Leonard Leeming with the unveiling of a blue plaque in his name this week.  Ernest was the Engineer, Surveyor and Architect to Urmston Urban District Council between 1933 and 1954.  It was fascinating to hear about his contribution to the area and the vision he had- from making sure trees were planted along the growing road network to championing segregated cycle lanes.  He was also responsible for the design of Davyhulme Park and the housing estate at Woodsend.  I was pleased to see him receive some recognition for his work from almost a century ago- his legacy lives on around the Urmston area.

I’ve enjoyed attending Trafford Live at the Town Hall last Sunday- it was great to see the area packed with visitors having a good time. I also managed to see some of our wonderful and talented young musicians at the most recent summer concerts arranged by Trafford Music Service.  On Wednesday of this week I had the pleasure of handing our trophies to young athletes at the Victoria Park Junior School Sports Awards and ended that day talking about sport, culture and all the other aspects of our new plan for Trafford at a meeting of Scrutiny Committee.

This is likely to be my last update for a little while as I recover from some minor surgery I’m due to have at the end of this week.  I’ll be back with updates soon and hope, in the meantime, our summer arrives…

  • Members of Trafford Labour Group outside the Labour Battle Bus
  • Tom and Connor Rand MP following his election victory
  • Local Labour activists with Connor at the Altrincham & Sale West vote count
  • Tom and Judith Lloyd at the Name the Square event in Stretford
  • Tom and the Mayor enjoying Trafford Live
  • Tom with some traffic cones!
  • Tom with the Mayor and Kevin Procter at the Blue Plaque event for Ernest Leonard Leeming