Reform councillor sole opponent as Bury’s councillor backs early years motion

Thursday, 22 January 2026 16:00

By Adam Clark

Cllr Jack Rydeheard speaking at last night's full council. Credit: Bury Council

A council motion committing Bury to giving every child the best possible start in life was passed with near-unanimous support at a Full Council meeting yesterday, with only one councillor voting against.

The Labour Group brought forward the motion, which was supported by councillors from Radcliffe First, the Conservative Party and All Together for Bury. The only vote against came from Bury’s sole Reform councillor, Cllr Jack Rydeheard.

Commitments included stronger early intervention for families, improved speech and language development, better school readiness, and expanded access to Family Hubs and children’s centres.

Councillors speaking during the debate highlighted the importance of supporting children and families as early as possible. Members from different political groups described early years investment as essential to improving long-term health, education and wellbeing, and to reducing inequality across Bury.

Following the vote, Council Leader Councillor Eamonn O’Brien welcomed the level of cross-party backing and criticised the lone opposition.
He said: “This was a clear, practical and positive motion focused on giving children in Bury the best possible start in life.

"I’m pleased that Labour, Radcliffe First, Conservative and Together for Bury councillors all came together to support these priorities. It speaks volumes that every group on the Council backed this motion – except Bury’s only Reform councillor.”

The motion builds on work already underway across the borough and sets out ambitions for further improvement through partnership working with schools, the NHS, voluntary organisations and local communities.

Labour councillors said the vote showed a shared commitment to putting children and families first in Bury. They also said the decision of the Reform councillor to oppose the motion raised questions about priorities when it comes to early years support.

Speaking to Roch Valley Radio, the Reform councillor for Elton, who defected from the Conservatives in October last year, described the motion as a "PR stunt for the Labour Party."

"The start of it [the motion] was fine because it commits us to ensuring that every child receives the best possible start to life, nobody is going to oppose that. The issue for me was the politicisation of the motion, which was completely unnecessary. This was a desperate motion from the Labour Party to paint anyone who voted against it as a bad guy."

Cllr Rydeheard was surprised that all other parties and groups on the council voted in favour.