Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton MP Jim McMahon has criticised fly-tippers for dumping rubbish in Oldham's countryside, sharing a video showing waste piled on a roadside. He described the behaviour as 'selfish' and 'baffling', noting that not a week goes by without household, commercial, or builders' waste ruining the borough's country lanes, parks, and open spaces. In early 2026, The Oldham Times published nearly 10 articles about the issue, including reports of hotspots being targeted within days of cleaning, residents calling it a 'joke', and councillors organising clean-up crews. Proposed government measures include community service for offenders, £300 fines, and penalty points on driving licences. Oldham Council has relaunched its 'Don't Trash Oldham' campaign to tackle the problem.
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton MP Jim McMahon has detailed his 'sobering' visit to Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of the war with Russia. As part of a cross-party delegation, McMahon travelled to Odesa, Kyiv and Chernobyl, witnessing missile strikes and drone attacks. During his stay in Odesa, the city was hit by missiles overnight, damaging four residential blocks and a school. In Kyiv, the delegation experienced a significant attack with ballistic missiles and drones. McMahon described visiting the abandoned Chernobyl nuclear power plant as 'a haunting highlight' and recounted meeting a woman whose home was destroyed in an attack that killed her six-year-old daughter. The delegation attended conferences and laid candles in remembrance. McMahon praised UK leadership and Oldham residents who have provided sanctuary to over 150 Ukrainians through the Homes for Ukraine programme.
Oldham Youth Council has been credited with helping shape a government bill to lower the UK voting age to 16. MP Jim McMahon, who represents Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton, introduced the Representation of the People Bill to the Commons earlier this month. The bill is based on work McMahon did with Oldham Youth Council in 2017, when they drafted a Private Members' Bill together. The council advocated for lowering the voting age, tougher political donation rules, zero tolerance of foreign interference, automatic voter registration, and measures against intimidation. McMahon previously won a Youth Voice Champion award for his campaign work on the issue.
Oldham Youth Council has been credited with helping shape a government bill to lower the UK voting age to 16. MP Jim McMahon, who represents Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton, introduced the Representation of the People Bill to the Commons earlier this month. The bill is based on work McMahon did with Oldham Youth Council in 2017, when they drafted a Private Members' Bill together. The council advocated for lowering the voting age, tougher political donation rules, zero tolerance of foreign interference, automatic voter registration, and protection from intimidation. McMahon's 2017 bill ran out of time but earned him a Youth Voice Champion award. He praised the council for never stopping their leadership on the issue.