Janet meets Ed Miliband.

Janet met with Labour leadership hopeful Ed Miliband last week, during his visit to Manchester for the TUC Congress.

Janet has been keen to meet with the candidates for the Party's top job, and make sure that they hear the concerns of residents in Longdendale.

The two candidates shared a couple of jokes about their busy schedules whilst on the campaign trail, and wished each other all the best in the upcoming elections.

Results for the Labour leadership election will be announced this Saturday, 5 days before voters in Longdendale go to the polls.

Stalybridge and Hyde MP backs Janet.

The campaign to elect Janet Cooper as a Councillor in Longdendale has also been backed by Stalybridge and Hyde's MP Jonathan Reynolds.

"Janet has already proved she is committed to Longdendale and to the people who live here. And she would make an excellent member of Tameside Council", said Jonny. She is well-known in the area, because of  the commitment she has shown to a number of local initiatives and organisations. And now she wants to work with local residents to make Longdendale an even better place to live.
I know that as councillor Janet Cooper would be a strong voice for the community and an active campaigner."

Longdendale: New School axed by Tories.

Janet Cooper met former Education Secretary Ed Balls this week, and raised with him her concerns about Longdendale high school.

Janet put it to Ed, that unless we force the Tories to change their decision on the removal of funding for schools, then local children will miss out on being taught in the highest quality modern facilities.

Janet is leading a petition against such cuts to our children's futures, that will be delivered to local residents in coming days, and we have set up an online poll (on the right hand side of this page), to gauge peoples opinion on this issue.

Janet will be asking our MP, Jonny Reynolds, to raise the petition in Parliament once it is completed.

Come hail, wind or rain...

The campaign team hit the streets of Longdendale again this weekend, to carry on spreading the word about our excellent local candidate, Janet Cooper.

Despite the heavy rain first thing Saturday morning, numerous supporters turned out to support Janet and the Labour Team.

Thankfully we got half an hour or so of sun, before getting soaked to the bone again.

Despite hail, wind and rain, Labour in Tameside are determined to put residents in Longdendale first.

Campaign Launch: Video of the day.

Video of the Labour Party campaign launch for the by-election campaign in Longdendale. Speeches were given by our candidate Janet Cooper, Tameside Council Leader Kieran Quinn, Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonny Reynolds. The event was chaired by Cllr Jim Fitzpatrick and attended by around 50 local activists.

Denton MP endorses Janet Cooper.

Denton and Reddish MP Andrew Gwynne, has thrown his support behind Janet Cooper's campaign to become the new Councillor for the Longdendale ward in the upcoming by-election.

He said;

Janet has done excellent work around Longdendale in recent years. Whether raising money for charity or helping to organise community events, she has shown that she has the level of commitment that is expected of all elected representatives. I have every confidence that she will make an excellent councillor..

By-election campaign officially launched.

A campaign to elect Janet Cooper as Longdendale councillor was launched by Labour Party activists on Saturday.

Janet - a retired businesswoman who has lived in Broadbottom for 15 years - has always been an active member of the community. And she hopes to be able to make a real difference in Longdendale as a local councillor.

On Saturday she launched her campaign at an event at the community centre, in Broadbottom. And among the 50 activists supporting her were Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds and Tameside Council leader Cllr Kieran Quinn.

Commenting on her campaign to be elected as councillor, Janet said: "Our schools, our hospitals and our jobs are all at risk, because of the savage cuts that are planned by the Conservative government.

"As your local councillor I would fight to protect all our services and make sure you have a strpng voice.

"Longdendale is a  great place to live. Together we can make it even better."

following the event dozens of supporters canvassed support around Broadbottom, where Janet is already a well-known face.

 

In the past Janet has supported a number of groups and local initiatives. She is currently President of the Longdendale Women's Institute, a pensioner advocate and a member of the Community Chest panel.

Best wishes from David Miliband.

The campaign team took a break from canvassing last night, to go and see a speech from Labour leadership candidate David Miliband.Janet was introduced to the crowd of around 200 activists at the event, held at the newly refurbished Peoples History Museum in Manchester.

Janet had the chance to meet David after his speech and used the opportunity to share some of her knowledge on issues of local concern, with the man, who could soon be the leader of the opposition, and next Prime Minister

After a quick chat about Janet's experience in the community, such as working with the women's institute and fundraising for Christie's, David pointed out that this was exactly what he was trying to achieve through his "Movement for Change" programme. Labour candidate's and activists, that are involved at the heart of community at a grass roots level, not just campaigning for the Party, but also giving their time to projects that have an immediate impact on the area.

Having learnt a little about Longdendale, David wished Janet all the best for the upcoming election before taking some time to speak to some other member's of the audience.

Roy Oldham, 1934 - 2010.

A by-election has been called in the Longdendale ward, to fill the seat, which sadly is vacant due to the passing of Councillor Roy Oldham.

To many of us Roy was a friend and colleague, but he will also be remembered as one of the true heavyweights of local government in Britain, having served as Leader of Tameside Council for 30 years, the longest serving council leader in the country.

Longdendale resident Janet Cooper, has been selected by the local Labour Party as our candidate in this by-election. In paying tribute to Roy, she had this to say;

So much has already been said about Roy as a great politician , but he was much more than that
he was a good friend, motivator and he could bring out the best in anyone. His encouragement
made you feel there was nothing you could not achieve. One thing that could not be stated enough is the passion and commitment that Roy had to the people and the area he loved to serve. Anyone following in Roys giant footsteps, will have to grow slowly and steadily with their small steps, but with the wisdom and guidance Roy has freely given over the years Longdendale will continue to build on his work.

Roy Oldham, 1934 - 2010.

Tributes were also forthcoming from fellow Longdendale Councillor Sean Parker-Perry;

I don’t know what I will miss most about Roy, his vast knowledge, his wise words his sense of humour or his fabulous company.

And finally, Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds had this to say;

As council leader Roy Oldham led Tameside for many years and he was crucial to ensuring Tameside is the thriving borough it is today,” said Jonathan. His devotion to the area he loved and to public service were outstanding. And there are few people in our community whose lives aren’t in someway better because of the decisions he has made. He always had a strong and clear vision about how to make Tameside better - and a determination to make that happen. In addition, his commitment to the people of Hollingworth , Hattersley, Mottram and Broadbottom as a local councillor was always clear. He loved the area and he will always be remembered very fondly by local people.

 Roy gave his life to the Labour movement and to the people of Tameside. We shall ensure that his hard work is continued in his memory.

Thank you for all that you did Roy, may you rest in peace.