Angry Hulme outpointed

OUTSPOKEN councillor Ken Hulme has hit out at the Liberal Democrats after he failed to become chairman of Saddleworth Parish Council.

Councillor Hulme, now an independent, joined the parish council seven years ago as a Labour member.

He says his seniority and length of service have been overlooked by the Liberal Democrats, the largest group on the parish council, in favour of two members of their party.

However, his claims have been dismissed as an attempt to stir up trouble by Liberal Democrat member Councillor Brian Lord.

Councillor Hulme claims that at a recent informal meeting, it was announced that Councillor Keith Begley, chairman of the Oldham East and Saddleworth Lib-Dem party, will be the new parish chairman, and Councillor Bill Cullen, also Lib-Dem, will be his deputy.

Both are in their first four-year term as parish councillors.

Councillor Hulme said: “This is the payback I have received for being an independent and not toeing any party political line.

“This is an act of political vindictiveness. It has been done quite explicitly by the Liberal Democrat leadership to deny me.”

He said he will vote against both men being installed in their posts.

But Councillor Lord said the chairmanships are allocated according to the numbers of members the groups have during their four-year term.

He added: “This time there were 17 Liberal Democrats, two Tories and one Labour, Ken, but he changed to Independent part way through.

“We have always worked this out according to political balance, but as Ken is only one out of 20 it is going to be a long time before he gets any points for the chairmanship.

“And he’s lost his points for being a Labour councillor.

“We have always been very, very fair, but he is purely trying to stir up trouble. It is not his turn and I don’t know why he is being so silly.”

The new chairman and vice chairman will be installed at a parish council meeting on Monday, May 24.