Councillors who defected from Oldham’s Conservative group said they were left with 'little choice'

Councillors who defected from Oldham’s Conservative group said they were left with ‘little choice’.

In a statement issued to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, councillors Dave Arnott and Christine Adams hinted at conflicts within the party locally. 

The statement follows a slew of resignations, including former group leader Graham Sheldon earlier this year.

Coun Arnott said: “It was with regret that Councillor Adams and I took the decision to resign from the Conservative Party.  

"It was not a decision that we made easily, however we had reached a point where we felt that we had little choice.  

“Our decision relates to internal matters within the local party in the borough and we do not intend to comment further on that.

"We wish the party and its new leader, Councillor Max Woodvine well.” 

Coun Arnott said both they intended to represent the residents of Royton North as independents.

“We are opposition councillors, and we will not be entering into any agreement to ‘prop up’ the current administration,” he added. 

“We will robustly hold the council to account where we think that they have ‘got it wrong’.”

The independent councillor, who stood as a conservative for four years, added that he and Coun Adams had ‘no intention of joining the Reform Party’ and would focus on ‘matters which affect the day to day lives of residents’. 

Tensions within the Tory group have been apparent for some months. 

The departures have significantly changed the political makeup of Oldham Council, which now comprises 27 Labour members, 19 independents, nine Lib Dems, and five Conservatives.

The local authority is the metropolitan district council with the highest percentage of independent councillors in the UK. 

Oldham’s new conservative group leader Max Woodvine was contacted for comment.

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