I was pleased to see we once again achieved an excellent set of local election results in wards across Manchester Gorton, and of course more widely across Manchester. I would like to extend my congratulations to re-elected councillors Bev Craig, Mandie Shilton Godwin, Eve Holt, Zahra Alijah, Julie Reid, Luthfur Rahman, Jill Lovecy and Emily Rowles, as well as newly elected councillors Bano Muqadassah and Zahid Hussain. I would also like to note the long and excellent service of Mary Watson and Bernard Stone and wish them well in their respective retirements.  

I campaigned in wards across Manchester Gorton as well as in marginal seats like Didsbury East and further afield in Bury. I was pleased to see significant increase to the Labour majority in Gorton and Abbey Hey (with over 35% increase), as well as increases in Burnage, Chorlton, Chorlton Park, Fallowfield, Levenshulme, Moss Side and Rusholme.  

I was also pleased to see Andy Burnham re-elected as Mayor of Greater Manchester in a remarkable victory, winning every single ward across the region on an increased share of the vote.  

Outside the Manchester bubble, there were of course more disappointing results. Although the circumstances of these elections was difficult, it is clear we still have a significant amount of work to do to gain the trust of the British people and return to Government. I hope the Labour Party will reflect carefully on our long-term successes here in Manchester as a model for moving forward.