Decision day

AND they’re off! 100 candidates are battling for the 20 Oldham Council seats up for grabs as the borough prepares to go to the polls.

Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives and UKIP are fielding candidates in every ward.

The Green Party is battling in every ward except Alexandra, Coldhurst, Failsworth West, Saddleworth South and Waterhead.

The Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts Party is fighting for a seat in Failsworth West and the Respect Party — fronted nationally by George Galloway — is hoping for success in St Mary’s.

There are also Independent candidates in Saddleworth West & Lees, Saddleworth North and Waterhead.

As it stands, Oldham Council is Labour-controlled with the party occupying 45 of the 60 seats. The Lib-Dems have 10, the Conservatives and UKIP two each and there is one independent councillor.

On Thursday, Labour will be defending 16 seats, the Lib-Dems three and the Conservatives one.

The General Election count for the two constituencies of Oldham West and Royton and Oldham East and Saddleworth will start from 10pm, when the polls close, on Thursday.

The Oldham Council election count will not take place until 10am the next day, followed by the Saddleworth and Shaw & Crompton parish council counts from 2pm onwards.

On the following pages there are brief details about each candidate standing in the 20 wards and a statement from each party and the independents outlining their objectives.

The polls are open on Thursday, between 7am to 10pm.

(*Denotes retiring councillor)



ALEXANDRA

David Carter (UKIP): Living in Oldham since 1977 and Holts since 1990, I have great experience of the ward. I have served on the PTA at Clarksfield School and for seven years I was the chairman of the Holts Village Management Association Limited.

Richard Darlington (Lib-Dem): An experienced parish councillor, he is a retired council architect and housing officer. He has an interest in alternative energy, has an electric car and has had solar panels since 1994 and supports the Saddleworth Community Hydro.

Jenny Harrison* (Lab): Jenny has lived in Oldham for 40 years and is a grandmother. Currently cabinet member for social care and public health. A retired teacher, 20 years at Roundthorn Primary School, she is a governor of Alexandra Park Junior School.

Raja Amjad Iqbal (Con): A local businessman who has lived in Oldham for many years, Raja is campaigning for better sport, community and leisure facilities. He will put people before politics, holding the Labour administration to account if elected.



CHADDERTON CENTRAL

Francis Arbour (UKIP): “My candidacy is motivated by a deep concern for the future direction of the UK. MPs are London centred in their approach to developments and disconnected from the lives of ordinary working people.”

Robert Barnes (Con): “I am married and have worked in local government for 30 years, currently in the social housing sector. Experienced in helping people with housing and other issues. I’ll work with all parties to get the best for the area.”

Derek Clayton (Lib-Dem): Born in Barrow but raised in South Chadderton, he is a retired clectrician. Lives in Lees and is married with two children and two grandsons. An active Lib-Dem for 40 years, he has served at all levels.

Eddie Moores* (Lab): He has lived in Chadderton for 41 years and is married with three children. He worked in the railway industry until retiring in 2009. Active in politics for 25 years and a school governor for over 20 years.

Jessica Stott (Green Party): Jessica lives in Chadderton. She has been part of various environmental groups, including Foxdenton & District Protection Group, and got involved with the Green Party, as it shares her environmental concerns.



CHADDERTON NORTH

Mohon Ali (Lab): “I live in Chadderton North and I’m married with three children. I work as an internal auditor for the civil service and I’m a governor for the Radclyffe School. I have been campaigning on anti-social behaviour and the illegal dumping of rubbish.”

Matthew Chester (Green): Matthew lives in Royton and is studying science at the University of Warwick, where he has campaigned to remove its investments from fossil fuel companies. He has been involved with British Army Officer Training and charity work with the UK bone marrow register.

John Hall (Lib-Dem): John has lived in the borough for nearly 40 years. He is environmentally conscious and committed to Oldham’s development. Keenly interested in the strong community spirit found in Oldham, he works tirelessly to enhance the borough.

Dave Malin (UKIP): No details provided.

Paul Martin (Con): “A councillor from 2008-12, I work at a Chadderton builders merchants, and have worked in sales for 30 years supplying materials to many local projects. I am particularly concerned about voter fraud and I am fighting to overhaul the current system.”



CHADDERTON SOUTH

Stephen Connor (UKIP): “I’m a 55-year-old family man who has lived in Chadderton for 32 years. I have four grandchildren whom I want to see go to a grammar, take an apprenticeship, earn a living wage so they can buy a house. This won’t happen while we’re controlled by the EU and LibLabCon parliament.”

Louie Hamblett (Lib-Dem): Lived in the borough all his life and in Shaw with his long-term partner for the past five years. Works in customer services/ hospitality roles; a historical re-enactor in his spare time and volunteers for the parish council and local events.

Graham Shuttleworth* (Lab): Graham has lived in Oldham for 30 years and is a grandfather of three, soon to be four. He worked in insurance and is experienced in representing people as a national trade union representative. He was elected in 2011.

Michele Stockton (Con): Worked in the financial services industry as a transport manager for 25 years and now works in the NHS. Has lived in Chadderton for 40 years and has a keen interest in delivering value for money and fighting for the NHS.

Melodey Walker (Green): Melodey lives in Chadderton with her two daughters. She works at a local primary school. Her biggest concerns are the sell-off of public services, including parts of the NHS, and the risks posed by fracking.



COLDHURST

Riaj Alom (Con): “I am 49, a father of four and have my own business. I have a wealth of experience in local politics having been actively involved in Coldhurst. I was a resident for 10 years and want to give something back to the community.

Montaz Ali Azad (Lab)*: A councillor for the ward for the last four years. He grew up in and has spent most of his adult life in Coldhurst. He is married with four children. He is a successful businessman and has been involved with voluntary work.

Jean Eddleston (UKIP): “I have lived in the area with my family for over 20 years and both my children attend local schools. I want to speak out about cutting waste and increasing services, to see families adequately housed and children educated.”

Nuruz Zaman (Lib-Dem): Nuruz (39) is married with children and has lived in Coldhurst for 30 years. The principal of a local training college, he is passionate about education and developing young people and wants better facilities and environment.



Crompton

Phelyp Bennett (Con): Born and bred in Crompton, served in the RAF. Chairman of Shaw and Crompton Parish Council 2004-5. Works in retail pricing. Organises Remembrance Sunday in Crompton. Warden at St James, Barry Street, Oldham. Interests include pensioners’ welfare, planning and the greenbelt.

John Berry (UKIP): I am a family man with three children and my wife is a teacher at Burnley Brow School. I have worked in retail for over 21 years. I believe in cutting waste, prioritising services for local people and spending on what people really need.

Chris Goodwin (Lab): Chris is a family man living locally all his life. He has worked at the University of Manchester since 2001 and is active nationally to press for the best education for our children. He is committed to fairness, equality and social justice and has experience in the trade union movement.

Bianca Lopez (Green): Bianca lives in High Crompton and studies law at the University of Warwick. She works at the local post office. Bianca volunteers for Student Action for Refugees, organising events raising public awareness of refugees, Amnesty International and Fossil Free Warwick.

Julia Turner (Lib-Dem): Julia lives in Cowlishaw with her husband, Paul. She has two grown-up daughters. Previously a child-minder of 20 years, now a care assistant, Julia is one of the administrators on the “I Love Shaw” Facebook page. Hobbies include writing, walking, graphic design and photography.



FAILSWORTH EAST

Antony Cahill (Con): I am a maths teacher and minibus driver. I want to help hard working people in my community to a better future. I spend my spare time on my allotment, assisting pensioners and helping people back to work. I am a keen supporter of Oldham Athletic and Oldham Rugby League.

Bill Cullen (Lib-Dem): Bill is a local campaigner well known for his interest in the community and its development. He is a former chairman of Saddleworth Parish Council. Has a passion for history and heritage and is keen to see it maintained for future generations to enjoy.

Jim McMahon* (Lab): Jim (34) lives in Failsworth with his partner and two children. Elected in 2003, he has worked hard to fight for a fair deal for Failsworth including leading improvements to Failsworth War Memorial, Failsworth Pole and Westminster Gardens. He is council leader and was named Council Leader of the Year.

Andy Rossall (Green): Andrew lives in Failsworth with his partner Catherine and works as a maths teacher in Oldham. In his spare time Andrew helps organise regular events maintaining the canal in Failsworth. Andrew is passionate about reducing the gap between rich and poor and about protecting the environment.

Graham Whitehead (UKIP): If elected I will do my best to get Failsworth its fair share of council attention. All we’ve had is an expensive shambolic single lane road system that has led to more congestion on a busy major road into Manchester.



FAILSWORTH WEST

Adam Carney (Con): Failsworth born and bred. I joined the Conservatives while studying at sixth form. I later became chairman of my university Conservative Society. Currently working for a large car retailer with previous experience in large businesses in the North-West.

Enid Firth (Lib-Dem): A former nurse who is currently chairman of Saddleworth Parish Council. Well known for her work for many charities and helping many local organisations. She has a real passion for the environment and wants to ensure it is protected for future generations to enjoy.

Elaine Garry* (Lab): Elaine has proven her dedication to the role of councillor by her actions. She arranged the Failsworth Fun Day in Failsworth Park, works closely with the police for the new youth club in the town hall, is organiser of the Failsworth lights switch-on and attends community clean-ups.

Sam Pennington (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts): I’m 19 and from Failsworth. I’m at university studying politics and would like to go in to teaching. I stood as candidate in Failsworth West last year and I’m hoping voters see I’m the best candidate to represent them.

Joan Spencer (UKIP): A retired accounts manager and mother-of-two, I have lived in Failsworth for many years. I was adopted as a candidate because of my years of campaigning for local residents. I was a founder member of the Failsworth Residents’ Action Group who fought to defend memorial land on Broadway.



Hollinwood

Martin Dinoff (Lib-Dem): Martin served as a councillor in Oldham for four years. His main achievement was to promote changing First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) into a responsible social landlord. He was prominent in repairing and maintaining local roads and improving neighbourhoods.

Thomas Eddleston (UKIP): My wife and I have lived in Hollinwood for over 20 years, where we brought up our children. After service in the armed forces, followed by a career in the licensed trade, I am retired. I spend time talking to residents, listening to their problems and aspirations in relation to the area.

Jonaya English (Green): Jonaya is currently studying A-levels at Oldham Sixth Form College. In September she is going to the University of Leeds to study geology. She has long been passionate about the socio-economic inequality Britain and the preservation of the environment.

Steve Williams* (Lab): A councillor in Hollinwood for the last nine years, he works for Yodel in Shaw. He is a governor at Oasis Limeside School and chair of governors at New Bridge. A board member of both Oldham Credit Union and Contour Housing, he is Oldham’s representative on the fire authority.

Sameer Zulqurnain (Con): Sameer (39) is currently self-employed. A father of five, he is Oldham born and bred and was previously a teacher at The Radclyffe School. His interests include property development and housing.

See part two - next item