Liberal Democrat leader announces Oldham Real Opposition Team for 2023/24

Fresh from local election results which saw the largest group of Liberal Democrat councillors elected to Oldham Council since 2015, Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has announced his Real Opposition team for 2023/24.

Councillor Sykes said: “I am proud to be leading the Liberal Democrat Group and to be at the head of a team that is growing year by year and is holding the Council and Labour to account. 

"This year we celebrate two new members of our team, councillor Helen Bishop for Saddleworth South, who will be covering Education and councillor Garth Harkness of Saddleworth North who will lead on Housing and Licensing.

“Trust in politics is at an all-time low. 

"The London soap-opera politics from Conservative politicians playing ‘pass the leadership’ is a distraction that does absolutely nothing for the people we represent here in Oldham. 

"What matters is quality local services, local schools, and hospitals, safeguarding our places of natural beauty, as well as roads, footpaths, and green spaces.

“At the local elections, people saw fit to deal the Labour administration a hammer blow. 

"Labour have consistently failed to get the basics right. 

"But under my leadership, the Liberal Democrats have consistently been proven right on the big local issues that matter.

“On failed town centre regeneration schemes like Prince’s Gate. 

"On Labour’s wasteful spending on defunct Clean Air Zone signs. 

"On new health facilities for Shaw and Crompton. 

"On Cost-of-Living support for our most vulnerable. 

"The Liberal Democrats are always first with the ideas that will move Oldham Borough forward.

“We now have 10 seats on the Council, our largest group since 2015. 

"Each Liberal Democrat councillor is a strong local champion who will never take the support from their community for granted. 

"We are ready to serve our communities and stand up to an increasingly tired Labour administration which is running out of road.”

Details of the major appointments are:

Group Leader: Councillor Howard Sykes MBE
Deputy Group Leader: Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani
Group Chair: Councillor Louie Hamblett
Group Secretary: Councillor Diane Williamson
Group Treasurer: Councillor Hazel Gloster
Group Political Secretary: Councillor Mark Kenyon

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