As Reform’s fortunes have risen, the party has become the increasing focus of PMQs. Keir Starmer replied to a soft question from a Labour MP with a list of the party’s failings. Apparently in Staffordshire they’re had three changes of leadership in 11 months. Robert Jenrick sat stony-faced. In Westminster, he’d settle for just one. The exchanges between Kemi Badenoch and Starmer saw each play to their strengths. The Tory leader demanded we begin drilling for North Sea oil tomorrow, the prime minister explained that there’s a legal process to issuing permits, and Badenoch implied that if she were in charge, she’d ignore the law. Which seemed plausible.

The Farage Flounce: my SKETCH of very angry people demanding, DEMANDING to be taken seriously. thecritic.co.uk/the-...

On the eve of this vote, the Royal College of Physicians and Psychiatrists issued a strong warning that this current bill is still deeply flawed.

I hope that enough MPs now realise that it is not fit for purpose and reject it entirely at Third Reading next week

The more the scrutiny of this particular bill, the more MPs have deep concerns about its lack of safeguards for the vulnerable.

And many other aspects were not even voted on, such as the change of the nature of the NHS and the role of the Chief Medical Officer.

It had a Commons majority of 56 last November. That was cut to 36 last month on a key amendment. Today we saw a further cut of the majority to 21 and 26 on amendments.

And the final vote - a big defeat of 43 votes against those backing the bill - just underlined how uncomfortable MPs now are.

This assisted dying bill has rapidly lost the confidence of MPs and the strong momentum against it is now clear.

Two years ago, Nigel Farage said the govt shouldn’t step in to help British steelworkers.

As with his calls to privatise the NHS and his sucking up to Putin over Ukraine, he can’t escape his record.

Labour WILL step in and stand up for British jobs today - and defend the national interest.

The Israeli government's latest plan to seize large areas of Gaza is an act of aggression that will do nothing to help release the hostages - and will inflict yet more suffering on the Palestinian people.

We must oppose annexation, release hostages and secure delivery of aid into Gaza.

A welcome and clear statement from the Prime Minister at PMQs today on Israeli military action in Gaza.

With over 400 Palestinians killed in the last two days alone and aid completely shut off, we desperately need a resumption of the ceasefire. It is the only way forward.

If you would like to join our work serving the people of Rochdale, we have 4 exciting new part time job opportunities.

Click here apply:

Office Manager: www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...
Caseworker (2x roles): www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...
Admin Officer: www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...

So delighted that Rochdale has today been announced as Greater Manchester's Town of Culture 2025/26

Well done to all involved + a big thanks to
Andy Burnham for his strong support.

Can't wait for the family arts festival, Rochdale Poet Laureate and Young Poet Laureate + more.

We all desperately hope the ceasefire does not break down.
We need all the hostages out, more aid in, huge rebuilding of Gaza, and a genuine path to a two state solution.

Husam praised the Labour govt for real progress on suspending arms to Israel in Gaza, supporting UNRWA, respecting ICJ + ICC and sanctioning illegal settlements.

But he’s right there’s so much more we can do to help the Palestinian people get the justice, peace and statehood they deserve.

An honour to speak with our dear friend the Palestinian ambassador Husam Zomlot, today at a meeting of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East in Parliament.

World Book Day Competition for Local Students - Paul Waugh Paul Waugh, MP for Rochdale, is launching a World Book Day competition for Year 5 pupils living or being educated in the Rochdale constituency. The competition invites young people to write about thei...

Full details here on how to enter

paulwaugh.co.uk/2025/02/03/w...

The winner will be announced on World Book Day and I will personally present the prize.

Good luck!

👏👏👏 Particular thanks to three Rochdale-based businesses for generously donating the competition’s prizes: Gavin Reynolds from Alf Recruit, Louise Rothwell from I-Branded, and John Fitton from Office Supplies Now.

🙏I would like to say thank you to the organisation Business in the Community, specifically to Chris Minogue and the team at their Rochdale Place Programme, for all their hard work in assisting my office in setting this up.

📙 This can be done at home as a fun half-term project, and I hope that local schools may wish to join in too.

🥇There are a number of prizes to be won, so I encourage any young readers living in or going to a school in the Rochdale constituency to get involved.

📚Ahead of World Book Day on March 6, I’m launching an exciting new competition for Year 5 pupils in Rochdale.

📕Through parents or teachers, they can write to tell me their favourite book and why they love it so much.

This Saturday is the grand launch party of the Rochdale Get Together After Serving (GTAS) Military Veterans and Community Hub.

5-a-side football, DJ + family fun, all for free at R-Kix Box2Box Bar 3pm onwards.

Proud to promote it in Parliament, to give a shout out to Adam Trennery + all involved.

Proud to promote today plans for the SMMC (Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre) in Rochdale.

It’s key to AndyBurnham.bsky.social’s
Atom Valley development zone covering 17m sq ft across Rochdale, Middleton, Bury + Oldham.

Thanks to Industry minister Sarah Jones for her support.

Today is International Holocaust Memorial Day where we remember the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust alongside millions in other persecuted groups. We also commemorate those murdered in more recent genocides internationally.

My speech from last week's debate is here
tinyurl.com/3kk5hf4y

Such moving testimony from Holocaust survivors Yisrael Abelesz and Alfred Garwood in the Portcullis House ceremony of remembrance in the House of Commons today.

We remembered the Holocaust and also genocides in Bosnia, Cambodia, Rwanda and Darfur.

Thanks to CommonsSpeaker and HMDUK for organsing.

Cold Weather Payments Activated for Rochdale Residents - Paul Waugh Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has announced that eligible residents across the constituency will automatically receive Cold Weather Payments following a recent cold spell. Covering the period from 5th to 11t...

Cold weather payments activated for Rochdale residents ❄️

Due to the cold weather, automatic payments have been issued to elligible residents across Rochdale.

Find out more here:
paulwaugh.co.uk/2025/01/13/c...

Today I spoke in Parliament about the hard work being done in Rochdale to protect women and girls from domestic violence and from the scourge of grooming gangs.

See the full speech here:
paulwaugh.co.uk/2025/01/09/g...

Absolute garbage of a headline - what just happened is that a bill to protect vulnerable young people was voted through www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Tonight I voted for a bill that significantly improves child protection. Don't believe the misinformation and lies spread online. Lies spread by those who see the appalling abuse of children as a political game - rather than unite cross-party to root it out.

As winter bites, the Middle East needs more than ever an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, with hostages out and aid in.

Today I raised in the Commons the appalling attacks on hospitals that breach international humanitarian law.

The rapes of girls by Pakistani-heritage grooming gangs and abuse of boys by Cyril Smith have a common thread: working class youngsters were repeatedly not believed, listened to or treated with respect.

It’s on behalf of all the victims and survivors that I spoke in the House of Commons today.

Rochdale’s name has been used and abused by outsiders who treat child rape as a political game - rather than an appalling crime that needs urgent action.

www.facebook.com/share/v/15qg...