Councillor makes ‘symbolic’ switch

A FORMER Tory councillor has rejoined Labour in protest against cuts.

But Councillor Len Quinn is set to be Labour’s shortest serving councillor as he stands down from Oldham Council at the local elections on May 5. He has vowed to continue helping his new party after the election.

The party-swapping councillor has served with Labour previously — he was a Labour councillor for eight years, including as a cabinet member for social services, before switching to the Conservatives to take the Chadderton North seat in 2007.

However, he then quit the Tory group in February this year, leaving it with only four members, to stand as an independent — though he pledged to work closely with the Labour party.

He said: “I found it immensely difficult to accept the Con/Lib-Dem coalition Government attack on public services. There seems to be an ideological agenda for privatisation, even if it’s not the best option.

“They are making draconian cuts to our police and NHS budgets as well as reducing educational opportunities to our young people by cutting EMA and increasing student fees.”

He said cuts to Oldham Council of £41 million, causing 800 job losses, had been done with no real consideration as to how it will affect residents.

Councillor Quinn will accept the Labour whip at the last full council meeting before the election before standing down, but said: “I will be working for Labour candidates in the local elections and will continue to do that. I have no plans to stand again.

“I just want to work with residents’ groups and members of the public to try to change things for the better.”

Local Labour leader Councillor Jim McMahon said that while Councillor Quinn will join the Labour benches for only one meeting his switch was symbolic.