@mrjamesob.bsky.social some of the finest live commentary I’ve ever witnessed. ‘Effectively a gold carriage journey across the King’s garden.’

This weekend at the Co-op Congress in #Rochdale I had many conversations about the opportunity for the @coopparty.party.coop to be the progressive change making driving force of this government. Maybe championing cooperative values of inclusion and equity or promoting community ownership and more.

I don’t think I’ll ever really understand why we did this to ourselves. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Really great to show @rochdalecouncil.bsky.social new Chief Exec around the ward with fellow Councillors and @paulwaughmp.bsky.social

This is absolutely fantastic news! Something I and many others have been campaigning and working on for years. Thanks @andyburnham.bsky.social and the Greater Manchester Music Commission.

Today Keir Starmer showed what a true statesman looks like. Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦

Nothing beats a doorknock round on a sunny day. Genuinely lovely to speak to residents and help where we can. #labourdoorstep #littleborough

Keir Starmer embraces President Zelensky as he arrives at Downing St.

Well done BBC for being so unequivocal on calling out Trump’s outright lies as he capitulates to Putin. Europe needs to stand together in solidarity with Ukraine.

Cold weather payments activated for Rochdale residents ❄️ Due to the cold weather, automatic payments have been issued to elligible residents across Rochdale. Find out more here: paulwaugh.co.uk/2025/01/13/c...

Today I spoke in Parliament about the hard work being done in Rochdale to protect women and girls from domestic violence and from the scourge of grooming gangs. See the full speech here: paulwaugh.co.uk/2025/01/09/g...

This is not what he said and they know it. Something very disturbing has happened to much of the British press and a fair amount of conservative politics. The extremist Musk tail wagging the formerly mainstream dog.

The UK music industry is reporting record revenues. The reality is much gloomier | Eamonn Forde

This is the colleague that the likes of Cleverly, Badenoch & Jenrick are refusing to defend...

Stop politicising sexual violence against children and stop spreading misinformation. www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...

This is absolutely fantastic news. Nick and the team of volunteers have been working tirelessly to restore this much loved community space for years. This investment will secure the future of Hare Hill House.

🎄Well this is a nice early Christmas present. Rochdale has been awarded £20 million after campaigning by myself + the council for cash to regenerate our town. Shows what a huge difference a Labour MP working with a Labour Govt and a Labour Council can make facebook.com/share/p/rHwQSC…

It was dark during the Council Mtg But in daytime there's a great view of the Seven Sisters thru' the gorgeous windows So the Seven Sisters were standing sentinel outside as the Motion in favour of Saving them was passed 🥲 @tombesford.bsky.social @paulwaughmp.bsky.social @andyburnham.bsky.social

'Stand Up for Social Housing' c500 #Homes kept empty on College Bank We support the Council Motion for Refurbishment NOT demolition Support us in Supporting this Motion Rochdale Town Hall Weds 18 Dec 6pm @paulwaughmp.bsky.social @tombesford.bsky.social @triciaayr.bsky.social

College Bank has been suffering neglect & lack of maintenance We asked for Quick Wins to start putting this right See our before & after photos of a canopy repair @tombesford.bsky.social @paulwaughmp.bsky.social

Our brilliant posties do a fabulous job all year round, but we’re especially grateful in the run up to Christmas. Many thanks to Lesley, Michaela, Kirsty and all the team at Royal Mail in Rochdale.

It was lovely to help judge the annual Christmas Window Decoration Competition in Littleborough village. Many congratulations to Janet’s Hair Salon and the Highly Commended runners up: Knickerish-Allsorts, Busy Beans Coffee and The Secret.

Amplify is almost here! Here's a sneak peek of some of what's inside 👀 Look out for your copy arriving this week

The UK Govt today pledged an extra £13m to UNRWA to provide vital services for Palestinian refugees in the occupied territories. Keir Starmer + UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini reiterated the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, release of all hostages and much more humanitarian aid.

Several news organisations rightly picked up on this: Tory peers have been trying to filibuster the Football Governance Bill in the Lords. This is a manifesto commitment - and has cross-party backing. So they should heed Lisa Nandy's warning

I’ve just cast my vote and placed @taylort010808.bsky.social as my first choice, for the cooperative party youth network committee election 🟣🐝 VOTE TAYLOR4CO-OP

As an ex-Chair of a planning committee I hugely welcome the Gov's plans to speed up the planning system. Let me explain why... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

This is interesting. www.thetimes.com/uk/media/art...

Ugh, does this scupper my plans to spend the day delivering Christmas cards and a leaflet to the ward…? 🌧️⚡️

NEW: Trump names Jared Kushner’s father Charles Kushner, as the next US ambassador to France. Jared is of course Trump’s son-in-law. Trump already pardoned Charles in the dying days of his first presidency for charges including illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering.

From Thursday, GM residents can apply to a credit union to buy an annual bus pass via weekly/monthly payments. It means unlimited bus travel for: 🐝 £2.20 a day 🐝 £15.40 a week 🐝 £66.70 a month All people should be able to get the discount that comes with being able to afford to pay up front. 👍🏻

Come and work with us! www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...

Here’s a short story about who wins and loses from the status quo of our inheritance tax rules - and about, what you might politely call ‘sub-optimal’ journalism🧵

The mighty Four Corner Sword tearing it up in Rochdale town centre last night! #rappersword

Being able to honk a tune out of a musical instrument is a wonderful thing. I’m in a city I don’t know, find a session, play a tune, brand new friends. Thank you #folk.

Great meeting with Paul Waugh MP to talk about our Campaign to #SavetheSevenSisters @tombesford.bsky.social @andyburnham.bsky.social @triciaayr.bsky.social

Man who told The Times in 2021 that he’d only bought his £4.25m farm to avoid paying inheritance tax to lead protest against inheritance tax 😂🤣😂 www.thesun.co.uk/news/3179317...

@squeezyjohn.bsky.social had a session at the weekend with a load of mates learning your awesome tune. It’ll be out with some rapper teams later this year! Also we open all gatherings with a rendition of FTT. A staple session tune in the Calder Valley. 🎵

So lucky to have this amazing building on our doorstep, Rochdale Town Hall. No matter how many times I visit, it’s still stunningly magnificent and beautiful.

Councillor surgery followed be MP surgery and then a doorknock with Cllrs and activists. Littleborough Labour Team working hard! #labourdoorstep

📢 Last night, the Chancellor used her maiden Mansion House speech to announce new measures to support co-operative and mutual growth. These are crucial first steps to achieving our joint ambition to double the size of the co-operative sector.

First post here, hoping it might end up being like the good old days in that other place. Recommendations for people to follow in music (especially folk!), cultural strategy, and progressive local, regional and national politics please.