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We can work it out
Reporter: DAWN MARSDEN
Date online: 10 May 2010
Parties urged to put differences aside
LOCAL ELECTIONS 2010
WITH the future of Oldham Council hanging in the balance party leaders are being urged to put their political differences aside and create a so-called “Cabinet Of All Talents”.
Thursday’s local election — for which turnout was 61.1 per cent — saw the ruling Lib-Dems lose their position of power as Labour gained five places to give both parties 27 seats each.
With no group securing overall majority, Lib-Dem leader Howard Sykes has invited Labour chief Jim McMahon and Tory party head Jack Hulme to meet for talks.
Councillor Sykes said: “The people of the borough cast their votes in large numbers and I believe the result gives a clear indication that they want to see the three parties work more closely together to ensure that the best interests of the borough are placed first ahead of party politics.
“At a time when the country is slowly emerging from a difficult and deep recession, we need to focus more than ever on putting the borough first. In the light of the local election results that give no one party a majority, I believe it is essential that we respond in positive fashion to the will of the people and to put party politics firmly in second place behind the needs of the borough.
“I am therefore proposing that the three party leaders sit down over the next few days in order to explore and discuss the potential to form an all-party Cabinet of all the talents, which would include representatives of all three political parties.
“I have today contacted Jim McMahon and Jack Hulme with a proposal to explore and discuss the potential to form a cross-party ‘Cabinet Of All Talents.’”
View all the results here
Comments
Well despite the tree huggers rushing planning permission to give their main hope, a mosque on waterloo street they failed, with regards to ‘a all-party Cabinet of all the talents’ well the sykes can’t sit on it after all his bungled up events.
To quote Howard Sykes: " .... I believe the result gives a clear indication that they want to see the three parties work more closely together ...."
I think he needs to look 'closely' at the results and see that only Labour, of the main parties, increased their number of seats while the Lib-Dems and Conservaties only lost seats, and that the people of Oldham have stated quite clearly that they have no wish to see him continue as Leader of the Council.
Step aside Howard, you're time is up!
Whatever they do let's hope they do it for the townsfolk and not for themselves.
"a cabinet of all the talents" - going to be a very small cabinet then
Come on Sykes - the Lib Dems lost comprehensively. Time to stand down. Giving up your massive staff and massive car just serve you right.
Cabinet? More like a small coffee table.
Perhaps nowe, the repeated calls by Labour leader Mc Mahon for the Council to come and talk to the people of failsworth about the Stadium saga will be heeded Make that one of your first tasks Jim, after all you ARE joint leader in effect & can therefore organisre it yourself.
On this year's results it was Labour 13 Lib Dem 7 Tory 0. If there is to be a shared cabinet it should be Labour 5 (including the Leader) Lib Dem 4. Oldham does not want the Tories.
ts2 - I couldn't have put it better!
JMTS - that is precisely what we don't want. Petty party politics. The tories have every right to be included as they have five councillors who were democratically elected. What we want is 9 people who can work for Oldham and not their own devisive tribal parties. They (and you - no offense intended) need to rise above parties and think of one thing only - Oldham.
keith - You seem very bitter about the outcome, you wanted the liberals out. You claim they have done something in an area the local community wanted, why does it upset you that local councillors do what local constituents want, isn't that true local democracy.
Have Your Say
A cabinet with 4 libs 4 labour and 1 tory would be good. It will show the people of Oldham, if our elected representatives are more concerned about the town and its people or their own parties.
Do the right thing, work together for the sake of Oldham, and stop squabbling like children.
By Old_Mancunian @ 10/05/2010 12:26:42