Jim McMahon

A “brilliant candidate, locally born, [who] stood up for local people,” is the glowing report that former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson gave Jim McMahon following his 2015 by-election success. McMahon is the MP for Oldham West and Royton and shadow secretary of state for transport. He has previously served as parliamentary private secretary to the deputy leader of the Labour party and shadow minister for housing, communities and local government – with a special focus on devolution. McMahon was also a member of the housing, communities and local government committee. Having never had the opportunity to go to university himself, McMahon is an advocate for addressing social and economic imbalances and providing every child with a good education. His passion for giving 16-year-olds the right to vote is another noteworthy position that led to him being named the Youth Voice Champion by the British Youth Council in 2017. Prior to entering Parliament, was a technician before venturing into local government as a regeneration officer and town centre manager. After becoming a councillor on Oldham Borough Council in 2003, McMahon went on to become one of the youngest ever council leaders – aged just 23 – serving from 2011 to 2016. McMahon’s work in Oldham has afforded him numerous honours and awards, including being ranked as the 6th most influential person in local government, named “Council Leader of the Year” and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2014, he was awarded an OBE in 2015.