[13] During his campaign, Reynolds focused on local issues such as the redevelopment of town centres, particularly Stalybridge, the Mottram-Tintwistle Bypass, the need for more primary school places in Hyde, and improved rail links in his constituency.

[20][21] After Jeremy Corbyn was elected to the leadership of the Labour Party in September 2015, Reynolds was made a Shadow Minister for Transport with responsibility for rail.

[22][23] He resigned the position following Jeremy Corbyn's January 2016 reshuffle, saying he felt he could "best serve the party as a backbencher" and expressing his support for the sacked Pat McFadden.

[25] In December 2015, Reynolds introduced a Private Member's Bill which would have changed UK general elections from first-past-the-post to the additional-member system.

He frequently called for an emergency budget to tackle the immediate economic impacts of the pandemic and focusing on the need for long-term planning in pensions and social security.

He also said that he believed that political stability and good-faith negotiations were crucial for enhancing the trading relationship with the EU, aiming for practical improvements such as mutual recognition of professional qualifications and easier inter-company transfers.

While the context was crime, this has been interpreted as setting out a traditionalist, anti-technology stance and has been contrasted with Sir Tony Blair's call to embrace modern technology in the interests of economic growth, including digital ID cards.

He also expressed support for increasing the minimum wage, plans to ban zero-hours contracts, end policies of fire and re-hire as part of its Employment Rights Bill, which was unveiled in July’s King’s Speech.

[61][62] On 19 September, Reynolds heavily criticised Amazon after it ordered employees back into office five days per week and defended employers who allowed workers to work from home, which included staff in his own government department.

[63] In an interview with The Times, Reynolds attacked the previous government and former ministers for their "bizarre approach towards working from home and "declaring war" on who did not returned to office.

[64] In an article to The Guardian, Reynolds said that plans will be put in place for opening new markets extending growth internationally for Britain by removing regressive business rates, time late payments for small businesses and position major institutions under the supervision of a new National Wealth Fund, which would invest in new green industries.Reynolds also affirmed that the government will be working alongside multination companies, regional councils, devolved governments and trade unions to "build a more resilient economy" with plans to transition Britain to clean energy by 2030.

[65] Following the controversial decision to scarp the winter fuel allowance from pensioners, Reynolds said that the government had "no choice" due to a £22 billion black hole in public finances and urged Labour MPs to back the issue.

[66] Reynolds alongside Douglas Alexander visited Saudi Arabia to meet officials on a new trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh which included United Arab Emirates.

Reynolds stated that he would initiate plans on "how Britain intends to sell itself to the world" that would be presented before an international investment summit on 14 October with an "industrial strategy" that will draw new funds.

Reynolds also acknowledged multiple that would needed to be managed despite generating progress with the collapse of the shipbuilding giant Harland & Wolff, the Grangemouth job deprivation and an "emergency situation" at British steel.