Lib Dems told ‘grow up’ after ‘sad attack’

Bernard Judge urges Lib Dems to grow up after distributing a flyer to voters which accuses him of being out of touch with Royton.

LABOUR’S local election candidate for Crompton, Bernard Judge, has told Liberal Democrats to “grow up” after they distributed a leaflet to voters featuring “personal attacks” against him.

Cllr Judge was de-selected by Labour Party members in Royton North after representing the ward for 30 years but he was selected by the party to stand for the Crompton seat, being defended by Liberal Democrat Dianne Williamson next month.

A leaflet sent out by the Liberal Democrats features a page on Cllr Judge with the headline “Dumped by Royton, dumped on you”.

The election material continues to state: “If he isn’t good enough for Royton why do Labour think he is good enough for Crompton?

“While a councillor for Royton he voted to close Crompton Pool, voted to move our market off its historic site and onto Market Street and diverted resources away from our area to Labour’s favoured spots. Labour’s candidate from outside Shaw and Crompton: Just wants to be a councillor – not bothered where, diverted resources away from Royton for votes and now wants yours, out of touch with Crompton and residents.”

Cllr Judge said, rather than making “personal attacks”, a better way forward for everyone is to work together.

He said: “It’s pretty sad because I have worked with all of the councillors over the years. But it is no surprise for them to be using personal attacks because that’s something they do.

“They are also very negative about Oldham Council which seems to get them re-elected.

“I’d just like them to grow up. It is a silly battle between Royton, Shaw and Crompton but we are all in the same boat.

“There’s a big rise in crime and anti-social behaviour at the moment in these three areas and what I want to do is work together to tackle problems like this because it affects everybody. There’s no boundaries between Shaw, Crompton and Royton when it comes to burglaries.

“There are issues for young people. The rates of under-age drinking are some of the highest around. Young people are also having to leave the area because they can’t afford to buy homes. We can only tackle these problems by working together.”

“I want to be a councillor to carry on a lot of the work I’ve been doing.

“And as for the claim that I’m out of touch with Crompton. Of the four (candidates), I live closest to the Crompton boundary – virtually one street away.”

The Liberal Democrats have stood by their leaflet and have claimed locals are angry as they “do not like being third choice”.

In a statement, the party said: “Facts are facts and that is what we always put in our leaflets.

“Cllr Judge was de-selected by his own members and does just want to be a councillor. After being kicked out by his Royton North colleagues after 30 years, he attempted to be the Labour candidate for Saddleworth West and Lees, before he got his third choice of Crompton.

“He also voted to close our swimming pool. He does not live in the ward or Shaw and Crompton Parish. These are facts. The people of Crompton are angry and do not like being third choice.”