National politics

Three wins in a row for Labour in the North West

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The Whalley Range branch Labour team outside campaign HQ

Labour’s Ashley Dalton won the West Lancashire parliamentary by-election yesterday, the third victory in our region following recent elections in Stretford and Urmston and City of Chester constituencies. There was a 10.5% swing from Conservative to Labour compared to the 2019 general election, and it was the worst vote share for the Conservatives since the constituency was created.

Volunteers from Whalley Range branch joined other Labour supporters from Manchester Central and Gorton constituencies, and many others from the NW region and beyond, to help get out the Labour vote in Skelmersdale and the surrounding area on a cold but sunny day.

Councillors’ update: COVID-19 Enhanced Response Area

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Local residents have been in touch with Whalley Range Labour councillors Aftab Razaq, Angeliki Stogia and Muqaddasah Bano, after the Government announced that the whole of Greater Manchester (including Whalley Range) is to be designated as an Enhanced Response Area (ERA). This has happened because COVID-19 cases are increasing locally, probably due to the Delta variant of concern which is thought to spread 40% more easily than previous strains.

You can find more information on the Council website here, and the Councillors encourage everyone in Whalley Range to follow some simple guidelines:

  • Take extra care and meet people outside, rather than inside, wherever possible.
  • Follow all the rules around social distancing, face coverings, washing hands, wiping surfaces, and keeping windows open.
  • Take the vaccination when offered (if you have any questions please talk to your GP, who will want to help).
  • Do the free twice-weekly testing sessions (these are the lateral flow kits that are for people who do not have Covid symptoms available free at pharmacies). This is because we know that 1 in 3 people can have the virus without ever showing any sign of it. Then, please record your results and if it is positive, please book a PCR test immediately to confirm the result.
  • Please take the help and support the Council can offer while you self-isolate. There is no stigma in catching the virus or being a contact. 

However the Councillors stress that this is not another lockdown. Manchester remains open for business with shops, hotels, bars and restaurants open to visitors in line with the Government’s easing of restrictions on 17 May.

Have your say on a possible Council Tax increase

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Manchester City Council’s net revenue budget – the budget used to deliver services – is just over £666m. More than half of this budget is spent on Health and Social Care, and Children’s Services.

The council is facing an incredibly difficult budget position in 2021/22. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has meant increased costs – especially for services which support the city’s most vulnerable people – and a big hit to their income. The anticipated hit to next year’s budget from Covid-19 costs is £134m.

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Global Climate Lobby with Afzal Khan MP on 21 Aug

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The Whalley Range Climate Action group has arranged an online lobby event with Manchester Gorton MP Afzal Kahn on Friday 21 August at 3pm. The discussion will focus on the global justice aspect of the climate emergency. Everyone in Manchester Gorton constituency is invited to take part. It is an opportunity to discuss the importance of global justice in our fight for a stable climate and to hear what he has been working on already.

To register to take part in this lobby event, please use this link.

Today is Election Day – vote Labour for a better future

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This is the most important election that many of us can remember. Every vote counts – don’t waste the chance to have your say. Four things to remember:

  • You don’t need your polling card to vote – just go to your polling station and give them your name and address
  • Polls are open until 10pm
  • If you’ve got a postal vote but haven’t sent it back yet, you can complete the voting pack and take the sealed envelope to any polling station in Manchester before 10pm
  • If you don’t know where your polling station is or you need a lift to vote, visit our polling station finder.