Heywood MP congratulates Bev Craig and calls for stronger investment in the north of the borough

Heywood and Middleton North MP Elsie Blundell has congratulated Bev Craig on her election as Mayor of Greater Manchester, pledging to work closely with the new mayor to secure investment, improve transport and strengthen opportunities for communities across the constituency.

In a public letter following the mayoral election, Blundell said voters had 'reaffirmed their belief that only Labour can deliver on hopes for a fairer Greater Manchester that works for everyone'. She added that she looked forward to working with the new mayor to grow the economic and cultural future of towns including Bamford, Castleton, Heywood, Middleton, Norden and Spotland.

The MP said her priorities remain focused on creating 'a positive future' for both towns and their residents, supporting jobs, culture and regeneration while responding to the wishes of local communities.

Transport featured heavily in her message. Blundell described the current journey from Heywood into central Manchester by public transport as 'unacceptable', saying many young professionals and families need a quicker and more reliable connection to the city. She reiterated her support for extending Metrolink to Heywood, noting that previous commitments had suggested 'spades in the ground' by 2028, and called for continued confidence in delivering the project.

She also welcomed the success of the Bee Network but stressed that towns outside Manchester city centre must not be left behind. Buses and future tram connections, she argued, both have an important role to play in improving connectivity across the constituency.

Blundell highlighted the opportunities presented by the Mayoral Development Corporations planned for Middleton and Atom Valley, describing them as exciting regeneration projects that could combine investment with skills development for both young and older residents. She said it was essential that local people were first in line to benefit from the jobs and opportunities created by future investment.

For residents across Heywood and the wider Rochdale borough, the relationship between the new Mayor and the local Labour MP could prove significant. With both politicians representing the same party, supporters argue there may be greater scope for joined-up working between Westminster, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and local councils when bidding for funding, infrastructure projects and devolved investment.

Whether that political alignment ultimately translates into tangible improvements remains to be seen, but transport projects, regeneration schemes and skills investment are all areas where cooperation between regional and national politicians can help unlock funding and accelerate decision-making.

The timing is particularly important for Rochdale Borough Council. The authority has previously warned of significant long-term financial pressures, with forecasts indicating a funding gap that could reach around £16 million by the end of the decade if additional savings or funding are not identified. While the Mayor of Greater Manchester does not directly control council finances, the Combined Authority plays an increasingly important role in distributing regeneration funding, transport investment, housing programmes, brownfield development grants and skills funding across the city-region.

That means a strong working relationship between the Mayor, local MPs and council leaders could improve the borough's chances of securing external investment for projects that might otherwise place further pressure on local budgets. Investment in transport infrastructure, town-centre regeneration and employment initiatives can help stimulate economic growth, attract private investment and broaden the local tax base over time.

However, the partnership alone cannot solve every financial challenge. Local government funding remains largely determined by central government, while council tax income, business rates and rising demand for statutory services continue to place significant pressure on council budgets across England.

Ultimately, constituents will judge the success of the new political partnership not by the warm words exchanged after the election, but by whether it delivers visible improvements. Faster public transport, investment in Heywood and Middleton, better roads, stronger town centres, more employment opportunities and increased funding for local services are among the outcomes residents will hope to see over the coming years.

With both Elsie Blundell and Bev Craig committed to Labour's vision for Greater Manchester, attention now turns from congratulations to delivery. The coming mayoral term will determine whether that political alignment results in lasting benefits for communities across Heywood, Middleton and the wider Rochdale borough.