The results of last week’s local elections are very clear: the British public want an end to 13 years of Conservative Government. The list of places that turned red was remarkable, from Medway on the Kent coast to Middlesborough in North Yorkshire.

In our constituency I am extremely proud that full teams of Labour councillors got re-elected in Stalybridge North, Longdendale, Hyde Newton, Mossley and Dukinfield/Stalybridge, several of which were strongly contested by opponents.

In Hyde Werneth we gained a seat, and in Stalybridge South we had an incredible result, coming within 200 votes of a seat that hasn’t returned a Labour councillor since the days of the poll tax.

In Hyde Godley, Labour won the first two seats but the third seat was a dead heat and had to be decided by drawing lots, which resulted in the Conservatives getting it. Every vote really does count.

Thank you for all your support. With success must come humility and whilst we are delighted with the trust you have shown in Labour representatives, we will take from these results a resolve to work even harder and do even more to make sure our towns are everything they can be.

Over the next few years we have several major projects happening in the constituency, including the regeneration programmes for Hyde and Stalybridge town centres, the Mottram Bypass, a new SEN school in Hattersley, and much needed house building that comes with essential infrastructure.

I think we need more regular and better communication from the Council around some of these and I’ll be looking to help make that happen. Under Cllr. Ged Cooney’s leadership Tameside really is heading in the right direction.

We do not know when the Government will call the next General Election, but it will almost certainly be next year. Being involved in this election will be a chance to replicate what previous generations did in 1945, 1964 and 1997 – turning out an unpopular Government after many years in office for one that achieves generational, transformational change for the better.

The NHS, the Open University, the Minimum Wage, the National Parks, laws to end discrimination – they all came from these Governments. I want as many people as possible to come and be a part of it.

In our constituency preparations for the General Election have already begun. I know many people want to be involved in this moment towards change for Britain. If you would like to get involved, or maybe stand as a councillor yourself in future, email me at: jonathan@jonathanreynolds.org.uk

Thank you for all your support. Let’s do this together.