2026 is the year of investing in Rochdale’s future
January is traditionally the month of good intentions, when magazines and TV shows are full of ‘New Year, New You!’ features.
It’s also when New Year’s resolutions start off with a flurry of activity, only to melt away with the snow a few weeks later.
But unlike diet fads or over-ambitious exercise plans, the New Year’s Honours List is all about sustained, often lifetime, achievement.
The Rochdale recipients of the 2026 honours awarded by King Charles (after nominations by the public, by MPs and by an independent committee) really did sum up everything that’s fabulous about our town.
Having nominated Keira Walsh for her honour, I was delighted to see our very own Lioness get the MBE. Keira grew up in Syke and is a real credit to her mum and dad Tracey and Peter, who encouraged her all the way.
Julia Heap, Hopwood Hall College’s principal who was awarded the OBE, has been a brilliant advocate of the power of further education, vocational education and apprenticeships in unlocking the potential of Rochdale youngsters.
I’m particularly delighted that Hopwood Hall is going from strength to strength thanks to this Government’s £20m Community Regeneration Fund helping to rebuild its student building on its Rochdale campus, with an additional floor for higher education and access students.
And Ian Sandiford, one of our Deputy Lieutenants who retired last year after 10 years of tireless service, was awarded the BEM. I chatted to Ian and his wife Janet at the Christmas carol service at St Chad’s and his award is a real tribute to his decades of service to our borough and its charities.
Each talented in different ways, Keira, Julia and Ian represent the hard graft, grit and kind-heartedness of Rochdale folk.
They also show that investing in the long-term is what really matters, be that in girls’ sport, vocational education or commitment to charity work and business.
The Ogden family’s investment in Rochdale Football Club is another example, typified by the new pitch being laid mid-season. This is a massive project that is long overdue – something those of us fans who witnessed the abandoned match against Southend can attest to.
Despite us being knocked off the top of the league, the old saying that Dale ‘come down with the Christmas lights’ can be defied this year if our players take advantage of the high quality pitch their football deserves.
And the funding for Rochdale that I’ve secured from our Labour government is a similar example of investment in the long term future of our town and its people.
Just before Christmas, ministers agreed an extra £74.5m for Rochdale council over this Parliament – 26 per cent more than under Rishi Sunak. Core spending power per head for Rochdale will go up from £1,248 under the Conservatives to £1,540 by 2028/29.
Add the £20m for the Community Regeneration Fund, £20m ‘Pride in Place’ funding for Smallbridge and Hurstead, £330,000 for Hare Hill House’s roof, and our area is finally getting more of the resources we need.
Of course, the money has to be spent wisely. And change can’t be achieved overnight. But my mission as your MP through 2026 is to help cut the cost of living and rebuild our brilliant country through long term investment.
We are fixing the NHS, as well as our roads, our railways and our energy grid. With more community police, better apprenticeships, free childcare, libraries in every school, and an industrial strategy, we can make Britain – and Rochdale – a fairer and better off place to live.