Congratulations to my friend Cllr Linda Maloney on being awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List.

It is well-deserved recognition for a dedicated and hardworking community activist who has given decades of diligent service to people in Blackbrook, Haydock and across the borough of St Helens.
Linda has blazed a trail for women in politics in the North West; in the Labour Party, at Council level and also regionally as the first woman appointed to a senior position in the Merseyside Fire Authority.

Linda is also my election agent which means she has to put up with me ringing her morning, noon and night in various states of anxiety in the run up to an election. Most people would think she deserves some sort of medal for that alone!

Whether it’s local, national or regional contests, no election day in St Helens North is complete for our Labour volunteers without a visit to Linda’s kitchen for a brew, some hotpot, a bacon barm and a chocolate biccie (and for me the chance to take a break from door-knocking for a few minutes to catch a bit of horse racing on the telly with her husband Mike).

Many congratulations to Linda, Mike and their family on this well-deserved honour, and thank you for all your service to our community, council and party.