Move to put Churchill on an (Oldham) pedestal

Reporter: DAWN MARSDEN
Date published: 23 January 2015


SIR Winston Churchill often spoke of the “warm hearts and bright eyes” of Oldham folk when he served the borough as an MP.

And as the 50th anniversary of the wartime Prime Minister’s death is remembered on Saturday, councillors are calling for a statue in the borough to honour his legacy.

Liberal Democrat leader Howard Sykes has written to council leader Jim McMahon and chief executive Carolyn Wilkins urging them to consider erecting a monument on the steps of the old town hall — the location of Churchill’s first speech following his victory in the 1900 General Election.

Councillor Sykes said: “Given Sir Winston’s historic connection with Oldham and the fact he was awarded the honour of Freeman of the Borough, might I suggest that this council use the 50th anniversary of his death to erect a statue in his image?

“I believe such a statue should and could be funded, as many were in the past, by soliciting business sponsorships and a public subscription.”

Councillor McMahon said: “We’ve received this request and will consider it together with the public responses received during the town-centre regeneration consultation.

“It is unlikely a statue could be accommodated in the new public square because plans are now well advanced, however that does not rule out another location and we look forward to receiving more details about the proposed public donations which would fund it.”

Sir Winston, who was a Conservative when serving as Prime Minister from May, 1940, to July, 1945, and then from October, 1951, to April 1955, first attempted to win the Oldham seat for the Tories in a double by-election in July 1899.

He won the seat in 1900, but four years later crossed the floor of the House of Commons to join the Liberals.

Shortly before he ended his term as MP for Oldham, he said: “No-one can come in close contact with the working folk of Lancashire without wishing them well.”