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74 battle it out for 20 seats on council
Reporter: DAWN MARSDEN and BEATRIZ AYALA
Date online: 04 May 2010
LOCAL ELECTIONS 2010
WITH just two days to go until Oldham goes to the polls, it’s a nail-biting time for local election candidates.
A total of 74 candidates are fighting for victory across 20 wards with a third of the council’s 60 seats up for grabs.
The current constituency is 30 Lib-Dems, 22 Labour, six Conservatives and two independents.
This year the Lib-Dems are defending 10 seats, Labour eight seats and the Tories one seat with one independent seat up for election.
The big three parties are fielding candidates in all 20 wards, the Respect Party — made by famous by flamboyant MP George Galloway — have four candidates in the running and there are eight independent hopefuls.
Right wingers England First and the British National Party are standing just one candidate each.
There are four cabinet members fighting to keep their seat — Lib-Dem councillors Mohib Uddin (regeneration), Lynne Thompson (finance), Rod Blyth (people and communities) and John McCann (leisure and housing).
Labour is bringing back some familiar faces as it battles to regain control of Oldham Council. Former Mayor John Battye, Hugh McDonald, Barbara Dawson, Jean Stretton, Phil Harrison, Dilys Fletcher and Joe Fitzpatrick are all hoping to return to local politics.
Current councillors Peter Dean (Failsworth East), Jean Jones (Medlock Vale) and David Shaw (Royton South) will step down meaning there will be at least three new faces on Oldham Council.
Catch up with the candidates at www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/elections/
Comments
I'm gonna vote Independent in Waterhead this time. The rest of them don't deserve a vote.
He's a loud mouthed gobby troublemaker I don't much like him but I hope Ken Hulme the Independent Saddleworth candidate wins - Charlie Parker and his crew watch out when Ken Hulme's about he'll certainly stir things up and he's got my vote.
Flake
Charlie Parker is only a decision maker because Howard Sykes style of absentee leadership has let him.
Have Your Say
But you cannot vote for the decision makers like Charlie Parker & his crew. The councillors cannot oppose or go against their reccommendations, and there is really little point in them being there.
I will not participate in a facade of democracy, it doesn't matter who gets in because you cannot vote on the real decision makers behind the scenes.
By Flake @ 04/05/2010 12:24:01