What the political groups are going to do about the borough’s ‘toxic politics’

Oldham has been in the national news again. 

Journalists have descended on the town to explore its ‘toxic atmosphere’ and ‘divided communities’ in the build up to the local elections on May 7.

And it’s true, the borough has garnered a reputation for its volatile politics – from councillors targeted by car bombings and arson attacks to explosive debates in the council chambers grinding meetings to a halt. 

It’s been on the international stage over its handling of CSE issues, seen protestors dragged bodily out of the council chambers, and weathered ‘council espionage’ cases that created ‘unbridgeable’ rifts between councillors at the town hall. 

But while many have marvelled over the spectacle of Oldham’s politics from the outside – Oldham residents are left losing faith in their local authority. So the real question is: how will Oldham’s political groups fix the borough’s ‘broken’ politics? 

The LDRS has given every political party and formal independent group the opportunity to answer the question: how do they plan to address Oldham’s ‘toxic’ and ‘divided’ politics in the borough? And how will they regain the trust of local residents?  

This is what they said – in alphabetical order: 

Conservatives 
Leader of the Oldham Conservative group Cllr Max Woodvine said: “In the context of no overall control, the Conservatives on Oldham Council will work with all political groups and parties in a spirit of cooperation, as we always have, to ensure good service delivery and value for money for our residents.
 “We will continue to provide strong and effective scrutiny of the Administration, whoever forms it, but we will redouble our efforts to focus on policy and forget personality. With the financial pressures facing Oldham a fresh approach is needed, we cannot continue to withhold information from Councillors and residents alike.

“If, as we hope it will, the Administration changes in May we need to open the doors to transparency and reveal the true extent of the problems within Oldham Council and with our solutions focus provide the high challenge and high support necessary to address them.” 

A spokesperson for the group added: “There is no hiding from the fact that politics in Oldham has become disjointed and fractious. This has led to articles in the national media, where Oldham, very sadly, has been labled as “toxic”. The Conservatives have sought to distance themselves from the unpleasant online mudslinging. We have campaigned on local issues in our wards, for the benefit of residents.

“Residents in our town expect their councillors to spend their time getting on with the things that they have been elected to do. The Conservatives will continue to put the interests of our residents first.”

Pictured above: Oldham Greens campaign picture. Campaigning in Failsworth for candidate Andrew Jones (middle). 

Greens 
Paul Singleton, Green Party candidate for Chadderton North, said: “Politics in general has become increasingly toxic and we’re seeing that at every level of this election: from the misinformation put out by opposing parties and candidates, employers attempting to pressure our candidates to stand down, threats and intimidation against voters, and the dehumanisation and abuse of our members – on social media and on the street – by a minority of people.

“For our part, the Green Party is committed to restoring trust in politics. We do not engage in direct, personal attacks on people, only policy. We will not stand for abuse against anyone in any forum, and, where appropriate, we report it to the relevant authorities. We hope that we can restore faith in politics by being truthful, transparent, and consistent in our principles.

“On a wider scale, the abuse we have seen is – in many ways – a form of radicalisation caused by misrepresentation and lies about Green positions, and the ‘othering’ of people with different views. This misguided hatred can only be undone by engaging people and reviving the sense of community, belonging and empathy that years of austerity, neglect, and manufactured hate have eroded. We want to re-establish that community spirit and integration.”

Failsworth independents 
Cllr Brian Hobin said: “The Failsworth Independent Councillors will continue to work in an adult and pragmatic way. The great thing about being independent is that we can and do consider all policies, motions or projects, whoever presents them, and opt for what we think is best for our residents and the wider borough without following the ideology of any national party. We can truly put our area at the top of our agenda.
 “The toxicity and divisiveness we see paints a very damning picture to the outside world and will do nothing to encourage the investment we need to lift the whole area. Councillors should work with the best interest of the Borough in mind, it’s a shame that party politics and personal differences get in the way. If we all put our time and energy into working together, we could do so much better, right across the Borough.” 

Labour 

Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council and Oldham Labour, said: “I understand why residents are frustrated. When I see how people online talk down our town, it genuinely upsets me.

“But here is what I know about Oldham: the people of this town are not divided. What divides communities is politicians who use people’s fears and differences to win votes. We have seen that playbook used here, and we want no part of it. Not from Reform, not from the Oldham Group.

“Labour’s offer is straightforward. We will show up, we will listen, and we will act. Not just at election time, but all year round. Real trust is not built through press releases; it is built by being present and by delivering. Our councillors are constantly in their wards delivering for residents.

“We have a proud record to build on. We have talked this town up and brought in hundreds of millions in investment, delivering real results. But we are not complacent. There is more to do, and we know it.

“My message to every resident in Oldham is this: we are on your side. We will work with you, not above you. And we will never use the name of this town or its communities to score political points.
“That is what sets us apart, and that is the kind of politics we are offering.”

Lib Dems 
The local Lib Dem leader, Cllr Howard Sykes said: “If you’re sick of the state of Oldham Borough’s politics, you’re not alone.
 “Name calling, smears and personal attacks on social media don’t get the potholes filled, the bins emptied, or the drains unblocked.

“Every vote for the Liberal Democrats on May 7th is a vote for grown up community politics and hard work all year round on the issues that matter most to you.  We stand for value for money and for getting the basics right, not wasting your taxes on flashy PR campaigns and vanity projects.
“Our vision for Oldham Borough is simple.  More of your money spent closer to your doorstep.

“If that means spending less on Oldham Town Centre so that districts like Saddleworth, Shaw and Crompton, Lees, Royton, Chadderton and Failsworth can have their fair share of investment, then so be it.

“It’s been two years since Labour lost their majority on our council.  And every day since then, so-called Independents who were elected to stand up to Labour have instead been propping them up.  This May you can force real change by backing the real alternative.

“Vote to move Oldham Borough forward with the Liberal Democrats.  The only Group on the Council that offered any alternative to Labour’s Council Tax plans.” 

Oldham Group 
Declined to comment. 

Reform UK
A spokesperson for the Oldham Reform group said: “Put simply, Oldham Council under Labour and Arooj Shah, is not fit for purpose. The Council finances are in a mess, with wasteful spending continuing unabated, with many areas feeling forgotten or abandoned. For too long Labour have spent years pandering to the few, rather than doing what is right for the many.

“Labour has failed to get the basics right; from bins, potholes, and fly-tippers getting away with it. Only Reform UK will fight to fix the basics; we will pick Oldham up, rather than let it fall further, after years of managed decline.
“We have also been clear we want no part in any secret agreements, or coalitions. If you vote Reform UK, you get Reform UK.

“We are a new Party, and the cosy consensus that has run Oldham for decades must be swept away. Oldham Council is broken, thank to Labour, Independents, Lib Dems and Tories who have all failed you, the people of the Borough. It is time we had a clear and decisive change.
“Only by voting for Reform UK on Thursday 7th May can we begin to change things for the better.”