Councillor baffled by deselection

Bernard Judge: “I just want to thank the people of Royton, they trusted me for 30 years.”

LONG-STANDING and popular councillor Bernard Judge says he is “bemused” after being deselected for the Royton North seat he has served for 30 years.

Councillor Judge (68) will not be standing in the ward in May’s local elections after the local Labour Party voted for a change. Instead James Larkin, the son of Royton North councillor Tony Larkin, will stand.

Councillor Judge, who has lived in Royton for 42 years, said: “Usually, if you’ve been a bad councillor then this is what happens, so I’m just bemused and I don’t know why it’s happened. I’m disappointed because after 30 years I think I have achieved a lot. I just want to thank the people of Royton, they trusted me for 30 years.

Councillor Judge says he might consider putting his name forward for a different Oldham Council ward