Commenting on the latest CQC report into Tameside General Hospital, local Members of Parliament Andrew Gwynne, Jonathan Reynolds and David Heyes said;

“Today’s report by the CQC shows that progress has been made, particularly in vital areas such as accident and emergency and mortality rates, which is reassuring. But there are clearly still significant problems that need to be addressed.

“Without doubt staff at the hospital have worked hard over the past 12 months to make the changes recognised in this report. And crucially we believe the new management team is better placed to be able to deliver the improvements that remain necessary.

“However, as local Members of Parliament, we believe further improvements are crucial - and we will continue to work with management, patients and staff until we have a hospital that Tameside can be proud of.”

Published 16th July 2014.

Big changes are already underway for in the North of England's railway services, some of it good, some of it not so good.

For instance, our area will benefit from around £4bn of investment that is coming from Network Rail’s ‘Northern Hub’ project, which will see several of the key routes throughout the North being electrified and significant alterations to both Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria stations.

On the other hand however, we stand to lose trains that run on the Stalybridge line to help satisfy a shortage in the Chilterns, as I explained here.

Whichever aspect you choose to focus on there is no doubting that rail services are an extremely significant issue for people locally, and something that the success of the area is completely dependent on.

That’s why I think the most recent announcement form the Department for Transport regarding the refranchising of Northern rail services is so important.

As the Department’s consultation document explains, both the rail franchises that run through our area are due to be refranchised by 2015.

I have long campaigned for better train services across Stalybridge, Hyde, and Mossley and believe that any reduction to our current services would be both unacceptable and counterproductive. People depend on these services, and the success of the local economy is dependent on the quality of our transport links.

As part of this process I will be making a formal submission to the DfT’s consultation – through which I will be making the case to protect local services – but I would encourage people who use them to do the same.

If you wish to read the consultation and make a submission you can do so by following this link, and if you wish to share your thoughts with me please feel free to email me at jonathan@jonathanreynolds.org.uk

Commenting on the case of former soldier Dave McIntyre - originally from Hyde - who is facing extradition to the US, Jonathan said:

'I first became involved with Dave's case 2 years ago when he came to see me at a surgery. He has since moved home, meaning I stopped being his MP and could not continue to represent him, but I have continued to keep a close eye on the case.

I have always believed that Dave is suffering considerably from post-traumatic stress and that he should not be extradited. I am disappointed that the High Court has not agreed with this. I can only say that, from my own dealings with him, I believe Dave to be an honest and trustworthy man.

I do not have sufficient knowledge of the legal system to say if it is possible for Dave to be tried in the UK, but I do believe all steps possible should be taken to ensure he is given a fair trial. In particular, I do not believe he should be extradited until the trial is ready to commence. That way he will not face undue pressure to sign a plea bargain admitting guilt for an offence which he is adamant he is innocent of.'