Andy Burnham brings his Mayoral campaign to Rochdale

Date published: 04 March 2017

Residents of Milkstone and Deeplish had the chance to raise any important issues within their community as Andy Burnham, the Labour candidate in the Greater Manchester Mayoral election in May, was in the area on Saturday (4 March). 

One major issue concerning residents of Meldon Street in the Deeplish area was drug use and the lack of police in the area. 

Resident Qasim Ahmad said: "The main issue we have around here is drugs. People park up and sell them at the end of the street. It's been reported, but nothing's been done. This has gone on for as long as I can remember." 

Mr Burnham assured residents if he was elected, he would also become Police Crime Commissioner and deal with the issues directly at the source.

Amer Aftab raised the issue of young people "having nowhere to go", saying he would like to see local youths "under one roof and off the streets". 

Mr Burnham promised he would focus on education and young people, with free bus passes for those aged 16-18 and more help for those who want to follow a 'technical' education, such as apprenticeships, rather than the traditional university route. 

He agreed young people are facing tougher challenges than ever these days, and told Mr Aftab: "They need opportunities in terms of life so they don't get diverted along the bad path." 

Mr Aftab also mentioned the trains: "At peak times they only have two carriages instead of four. You've paid for a ticket, a seat, and sometimes people can't even get on the train they've paid for." 

Mr Burnham said: "This will change. We'll bring in bigger trains and also re-regulate the buses. There will be more buses along the more isolated routes." 

Councillor Sameena Zaheer said: "Business has improved in the Milkstone and Deeplish area. There's so many shops here and the tram brings people here, that it's caused a few problems with the parking." 

After canvassing, the Labour Party candidate returned to Deeplish Community Centre for a short presentation. 

Mr Burnham presented awards to Anne and John Beasley for their commitment to the Labour Party and Imtiaz Ahmed for his services to the party. 

He then gave a speech about how he would change both Greater Manchester and Rochdale if successful in his campaign. 

He said: "I first came to Deeplish seven or eight years ago and it's a brilliant community. Thank you to the ward councillors, Liz [McInnes who was present] and all of you for the turnout. 

"We are living through a political earthquake, and it's our chance to get closer to people again.  

"Everything has a very London-perspective on life that dominates and has been foisted on us all. National politics focus on London, and communities here just don't get that help they need. 

"Instead of offering affordable housing, they focus on house ownership. The focus on university routes has left lots of young people in our community behind. The system fails to give support to Greater Manchester. 

"Westminster has held Greater Manchester back. The policies made there are for London, not here. 

"We can show the rest of the country we can do things differently here. We'll show we have that desire to shake the establishment.  

"In the 19th century, Rochdale was the birthplace of the co-operative movement. Then we had the trades unions to shake things up for the working people. In the 20th century, we had the suffragettes, who gave a voice for half of the population. 

"The time has come to stand up and shake things up again with the devolution revolution and giving power back to the communities. 

"I don't see how we can build a strong Greater Manchester when the government target young people with cuts. It's a sure sign we are in a very right-wing Tory government. 

"I'll put a real focus on technical education. There will be the same level of support for skills as the kids on the university route get. 

"There will be free bus passes for 16 to 18-year-olds so when they see opportunities, they can get to them. They need hope." 

The former Shadow Home Secretary also promised "affordable homes for rent"', and a "change to the NHS".  He said: "I will fully integrate the health and socia care and get rid of this fifteen-minute visit culture.  

"That's how I think we'll change this country. There will be more change in the cities taking inspiration from Greater Manchester, not direction for Westminster.  

"I have a goal to end rough sleeping in Greater Manchester by 2020. Manchester and Rochdale has a large number of homeless people and rough sleepers. We need to lead from the front and show the way we do things is done differently.  

"I'm also going to donate 15% of my mayoral salary, if elected, towards this with a new fund for the homeless.  

"The Tories put people on the streets; let's show we can take them off the streets. 

"We come together and build something better. I'm going to use my voice if I get elected for you. 

"It's time for the voice of the north to be heard. If they [Westminster], can ignore the north, they can, and it stops: they're going to listen, it’s going to change." 

A short question and answer followed. Councillor Janet Emsley mentioned the recent Rochdale Council decision to cut council tax for young carers and asked if this could be included in Mr Burnham's manifesto. 

He responded: "I think it's a brilliant policy and we'll try and get it in there." 

Councillor Liam O'Rourke asked how graduates could be retained in the area. Mr Burnham suggested a "graduate package" with the potential of free start-up space for those looking to launch a business, and help onto the housing ladder.  

He also addressed the quality of jobs, saying the investments would need to be where they are most required, suggesting health and social care, and renewable energy.  

"High value jobs would put Greater Manchester on the map, both nationally and internationally in these sectors," he added.  

Mr Burnham also addressed improving cycle access in the region, with cycle lanes from each borough into the city using old infrastructure rather than main roads. 

He said: "We can make old infrastructure like old railway lines, canal tow paths attractive and safe to cycle on and ensure access to simple, quality bike hire. 

"Our air quality is in breach of the legal standards, and from air pollution, health, climate and congestion points of view, it makes sense to invest in cycling." 

Mr Burnham's manifesto, nearing completion, so far will include:

• Securing more power and resources from the south to the north.
• A fair deal for our communities.
• More money invested into transport systems.
• Investment into health and social care services.
• Housing for young people.

Mr Burnham has been MP for Leigh since 2001 and ran for leader of the Labour Party, coming in second place to Jeremy Corbyn. In addition, he has also held the offices of Shadow for Secretary of State for Health twice, Shadow for Secretary of State for Education, Secretary of State for Health, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Chief Secretary to the Treasury.