Jonathan Reynolds MP

With 24,277 votes, a majority of over 8,000, Jonathan Reynolds has been re-elected for a third term as the member of parliament for Stalybridge and Hyde. The number of votes for the first time in 20 years passing 20,000 for any individual candidate, a very clear message of support for Jonathan and the Labour Party.

The Prime Minister has unexpectedly called an early General Election, to be held on June 8th. In doing so she has nakedly put her own interest ahead of the national interest. There is little appetite locally for another election, and most people tell me they just want the Government to buckle down and get on with things following last year’s referendum. She has also needlessly wasted thousands of pounds of taxpayer’s money by not calling it for the same day as the County Council and Mayoral elections on May 4th .

Since my days as local councillor for Longdendale I've had a great relationship with our colleagues across the border in Derbyshire, and yesterday I went down to Tintwistle with them to get a sense of how the feeling is there on the Bypass proposals.

Today the PM triggered Article 50 and the UK formally began the process of leaving the European Union. For some this will be a moment of great celebration, for others bitter regret. Bridging this gap is now one of the most biggest jobs the Prime Minister and Government must address.

The celebration for the life of our friend Jo Cox today was absolutely wonderful. So many people came to Dukinfield Town Hall to make it a very special and memorable occasion.