I just read that Ian McCartney is standing down at the next election. A sad day, indeed. I’ll always have a soft-spot for him – he was the first MP that I voted for when I was young and about to head off to Uni (I think it was the first time he stood for Makerfield) Indeed the Makerfield constituency takes in Abram, where I went to nursery, Platt Bridge, where I went to primary school; Ashton where I went to secondary school and Orrell where I went to sixth form!

He has been a brilliant advocate for my mum’s basic skills organisation (Working Wonders) and I’m sure for other groups working in his constituency.

I wish him the very best.