Here in Greater Manchester, the Tories lost control of Trafford, their flagship northern council, where I campaigned many times. Nationally, Labour achieved a solid set of results in the local elections. We have consolidated and built on the advances we made at last year’s General Election, when we won the largest increase in Labour’s share of the vote since 1945.

Councillors across the new wards of Manchester Gorton – Fallowfield, Levenshulme, Longsight, Rusholme, Whalley Range and Gorton & Abbey Hey all won their seats with comfortable majorities showing that the people of Manchester have confidence that their Labour councillors are working hard all year round. 10 Gorton councillors now hold positions on the Council, including the Deputy Lord Mayor, deputy whip and executives for highways, neighbourhoods and culture, which will no doubt be of great benefit to our constituency

I offer my sincere congratulations to everyone who was elected as well as everyone who went out and campaigned.