Cross-party councillor band releases debut single to fight against housing plans in Saddleworth

It’s not often you see politicians of different stripes singing from the same hymn sheet.

But in Saddleworth that’s exactly what a cross-party group of councillors and green belt campaigners are doing.

‘The Councillors’ have recorded their debut single, a cover of the sixties Northern Soul classic ‘Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me’ by The Tams.

For each of the four politicians, who have no performing experience, it’s their first brush with stardom – although they say any embarrassment will be for a good cause.

The Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and independent members have released the music video to help raise funds to launch a legal challenge against the controversial Knowls Lane housing plan.

Spearheaded by the The Save Our Valleys campaign group, the aim is to fund a private judicial review to attempt to strike down planning permission for 265 homes and a new link road, which was granted in July.

So far they have raised £23,000 – and need to club together another £20k more to be sure of covering all the costs. 

Lead singer and musician Paul ‘Boots’ Errock, a Save Our Valleys campaigner and former member of the Million Billion Band, brought the councillors together to hit the right notes as part of the fundraising drive.

“Signing petitions, or writing to MPs or going on marches like Extinction Rebellion will not stop these special pieces of countryside and wildlife habitat from being built on – only a judicial review will,” he said.

He explained that he picked the song because he loves Tamla Motown and the track is ‘non political’.

Mr Errock also stood as a candidate for the hyper local party Saddleworth First in this May’s local elections.

The idea is that people will donate a pound to the campaign after viewing the video.

Labour Coun for Saddleworth West and Lees, Stephen Hewitt, said: “They have done a really good job with it, I thought it would be a bit embarrassing but it was really good actually.

“All the councillors were up for it. We are hoping if it gets enough hits they will actually release it and it will go into the charts.”

Ward colleague, Liberal Democrat Coun Sam Al-Hamdani, added: “If it raises money I am quite prepared to have people laugh at us. 

“But it is trying to do something fun and raise awareness. 

“Politicians are always seen to be attacking each other, and it’s good to see that we can work together sometimes.

“Development is needed, but it should be in the appropriate place, be the right size and really engage with the community.”

Duncan Goodman, who is a Saddleworth parish councillor and member of Saddleworth First, admitted he can’t play an instrument or sing but was an ‘enthusiastic participant’. 

He said: “It was done very professionally, which was surprising as none of us are professionals by any means.

“But we are very interested in the Save Our Valleys campaign and want to help preserve Saddleworth and its heritage.

“The key thing was to see that we all work together on these issues, and it’s not party political.”

The band also included Saddleworth South representative and Conservative, Jamie Curley.

‘The Councillors’ music video is published on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KGlTRL_OK8 

 

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