Hard work starts now

ELECTION 2011:

McMahon warns of challenge ahead
’THE hard work starts now. That was the view of new Oldham Council leader Jim McMahon as he faces the worst cuts in the local authority’s history.

On a night when Labour celebrated storming back into control, the youngest council leader in the country cautioned about the challenges that lie ahead.

He said: “I feel elated but also very focused on the task ahead. I’m pleased with the result but we now have quite a daunting task in front of us to steer the council through the worst budget cuts in the council’s history. It’s no easy task. We will speak to people and make sure we are driven by our values.”

Asked what swung it for Labour, he said: “I think this year we have got some excellent candidates who have worked hard, not just in opposition to the Government but in community politics. We have people who really know their patch.”

He declared his first task would be to review the Lib Dem’s decision to close day care centres, adding he was confident he could reverse it.

Then he will announce an emergency budget in July with savings including cutting press and communications budgets, managerial layers and councillors’ allowances.

On creating history by becoming the youngest ever Oldham Council leader and youngest council leader in the country at the age of 30, he said: “I feel quite humble. I did not go into politics to get control of Oldham Council but the more I have done the more I realised that to get things done you need to lead at senior level.

“I have been on the council for eight years. I’m not going to claim I’m the finished article. But I’m an ordinary person and the fears and worries that people have I have myself as I raise a family.”

He added: “It’s been very positive nationally. It’s looking good for any party that is not part of the Government. I hope it sends a message to the Government that they need to reconsider the cuts. The majority did not believe their message that Labour is responsible for the financial mess.”

Montaz Ali Azad took the Coldhurst ward from Lib Dems, where there was the largest turnout of 56 per cent.

He said: “I’m very excited. It was a fantastic result and I did not expect that. It’s a good night for Labour. I will serve Coldhurst with my Labour colleagues and do my best for the ward. I’d like to thank people for turning out and supporting the Labour party.”

Dave Houle took the Chadderton North seat in his first ever election.

He said: “I’m really pleased to have won. It just proves that the people of Chadderton North and the borough realised that the Lib Dems and Tories have got it wrong.

“It’s going to be tough and difficult but we have a big team here now and are ready for action.”

Steve Williams, the victorious Labour winner in Hollinwood, regained the seat he lost in 2007, and said he was proud to be a councillor again.

He defeated Liberal Democrat councillor Keith Pendlebury with a majority of 831, and vowed to be a “strong voice in hard times.”

But he said the low turnout, 30.9 per cent in his ward, reflected a general apathy with politicians.

He added: “It has taken me four years to get back, but Hollinwood has always been a ward which flip flops between parties.”

Nigel Newton said he was looking forward to getting stuck into some hard work in St James’s.

He added: “I was brought up in St James’s so for me it is like a home win. A great result, it sends a message to Cameron and Clegg well.

“It is a mixture of all things. Certainly the national situation has had an impact. We have had 12 months of the Coalition Government and it’s struggling, it’s sending out the wrong message: our health service is at risk, our children’s education is at risk.

“And I am not convinced the Liberal Democrat council implemented the cuts in a way that’s the best for the people of Oldham.”

Labour snatched a seat in Saddleworth for the first time in 37 years with Adrian Alexander claiming the scalp of Lib Dem Brian Lord in Saddleworth West and Lees by 1,316 to 1,176.

Councillor McMahon added: “I’m delighted to pick up a seat in Saddleworth.”

THE hard work starts now — that’s the view of new Oldham Council leader Jim McMahon as he faces the worst cuts in the local authority’s history.

On a night when Labour celebrated storming back into control, the youngest council leader in the country cautioned about the challenges that lie ahead.

The 30-year-old said: “I feel elated but also very focused on the task ahead.

“I’m pleased with the result but we now have quite a daunting task in front of us to steer the council through the worst budget cuts in the council’s history.

“It’s no easy task. We will speak to people and make sure we are driven by our values.”

Asked what swung it for Labour, Councillor McMahon said: “I think this year we have got some excellent candidates who have worked hard, not just in opposition to the Government but in community politics. We have people who really know their patch.”

The new leader declared his first task would be to review the Lib-Dem’s decision to close day care centres, adding he was confident he could reverse it.

Then he will announce an emergency budget in July with savings including cutting press and communications budgets, managerial layers and councillors’ allowances.

On creating history by becoming the youngest ever Oldham Council leader and youngest council leader in the country, he said: “I feel quite humble.

“I did not go into politics to get control of Oldham Council but the more I have done the more I realised that to get things done you need to lead at senior level.

“I have been on the council for eight years. I’m not going to claim I’m the finished article. But I’m an ordinary person and the fears and worries that people have I have myself as I raise a family.”

He added: “It’s been very positive nationally. It’s looking good for any party that is not part of the Government. I hope it sends a message to the Government that they need to reconsider the cuts. The majority did not believe their message that Labour is responsible for the financial mess.”

Montaz Ali Azad took the Coldhurst ward from the Lib-Dems, where there was the largest turnout of 56 per cent.

He said: “I’m very excited. It was a fantastic result and I did not expect that. It’s a good night for Labour. I will serve Coldhurst with my Labour colleagues and do my best for the ward. I’d like to thank people for turning out and supporting the Labour party.”

Dave Houle took the Chadderton North seat in his first ever election.

He said: “I’m really pleased to have won.

“It just proves that the people of Chadderton North and the borough realised that the Lib-Dems and Tories have got it wrong.

“It’s going to be tough and difficult but we have a big team here now and are ready for action.”

Steve Williams, the victorious Labour winner in Hollinwood, regained the seat he lost in 2007, and said he was proud to be a councillor again.

He defeated Liberal Democrat councillor Keith Pendlebury with a majority of 831, and vowed to be a “strong voice in hard times.” But he said the low turnout, 30.9 per cent in his ward, reflected a general apathy with politicians.

He added: “It has taken me four years to get back, but Hollinwood has always been a ward which flip-flops between parties.”

Nigel Newton said he was looking forward to getting stuck in to some hard work in St James’s.

He added: “I was brought up in St James’s so for me it is like a home win. A great result, it sends a message to Cameron and Clegg as well.

“It is a mixture of all things. Certainly the national situation has had an impact.

“We have had 12 months of the Coalition Government and it’s struggling. It’s sending out the wrong message: our health service is at risk, our children’s education is at risk.

“I am not convinced the Liberal Democrat council implemented the cuts in a way that’s the best for the people of Oldham.”

Labour snatched a seat in Saddleworth for the first time in 37 years with Adrian Alexander claiming the scalp of Lib-Dem Brian Lord in Saddleworth West and Lees by 1,316 to 1,176.

Councillor McMahon added: “I’m delighted to pick up a seat in Saddleworth.”