Council Leader - 'Oldham Tories are rapidly turning into an embarrassment'

Oldham Council Leader Cllr Amanda Chadderton

Oldham's Labour Leader of the Council Amanda Chadderton has aimed a swipe at Conservatives, saying the party is 'at loggerheads, locally and nationally'.

The Chronicle reported yesterday (Tuesday) that the Conservative Group on Oldham Council had been shocked by the resignation of THREE of their councillors from shadow cabinet roles.

St James Conservative Councillor Beth Sharp resigned her position as Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group on Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council on Monday, and her shadow cabinet post.

She was then joined by councillors Dave Arnott (Royton North) and Robert Barnes (Chadderton South), who both also gave up their shadow cabinet positions.

Councillor Chadderton said: "It hasn’t taken long for Oldham Tories to fall out with each other.

"The Tories are at loggerheads locally and nationally.

"The Oldham Tories are rapidly turning into an embarrassment to the office they hold, coming just a few days after Conservative Councillor Max Woodvine told a local newspaper that none of the shadow cabinet do anything for the allowance they’re paid.

"That incidentally came not long after he also said he ‘was embarrassed’ by the conduct of some Oldham Tories and the people they now openly associate with.

"They need to grow up, focus on the job they were elected to do and concentrate on the real issues Oldham residents have to deal with like the cost of living crisis and the looming eye-watering increase in gas and electricity bills this October.

"It costs a fortune to fill up the car or van, childcare costs are the second highest in the OECD and inflation is 10% and rising.

"Oldham foodbank has never had to support so many families.

"The third Tory leadership election in six years is an opportunity for Oldham's Tories to highlight the harm done to Oldham residents by 12 years of Tory government and demand a change in direction."

The Conservative Group on Oldham Council is the joint Official Opposition (with the Liberal Democrats) with nine Councillors.

Both Groups are entitled to shadow Cabinet posts, with each post entitled to a Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA).

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.