Endorsement of our policies, says Stretton

Winner: Councillor Abdul Jabbar and supporters react to the declaration

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OLDHAM Council leader Jean Stretton last night said Labour’s leadership has been endorsed by the public.

The ruling party held 15 of the 20 seats up for grabs at the election yesterday and came out with that exact same number when the results were in.

The ruling party still has 45 of the 60 Oldham Council seats overall.

Key
A number of Labour’s key council figures held on to their seats including deputy leader Abdul Jabbar (Coldhurst ward) and Mayor of Oldham Ateeque Ur-Rehman (Medlock Vale ward).

Oldham Council leader - and Oldham Labour Group leader - Jean Stretton said: “The result as a whole leaves us in the same position that we were in prior to the election.

“Overall the result is an endorsement of the leadership Labour has shown over the last few years and continues to show.”

Including Stephen Hewitt in Saddleworth West and Lees, previously held by Lib-Dem Val Sedgwick since 1992, Labour has four new councillors as of last night.

The other three are Chris Goodwin - who replaces Dave Hibbert in Chadderton South, James Larkin - who replaces Bernard Judge in Royton North and Cherryl Brock - who replaces David Dawson in Failsworth East.

Councillor Goodwin said: “I have grown up in South Chadderton and I now live there with my family. I know the area, the people, their concerns and their aspirations.

“Thank you to the residents of Chadderton South for giving me the opportunity to serve them and to provide them with the representation that they deserve.”

Councillor Larkin said: “I have been active in the Labour Party since I was eight-years-old. I was born in Royton and have lived there my whole life. There’s a really deep connection and that drives me because I’d be letting down close friends, family, even my old dinner ladies, if I don’t do my job.”

Councillor Brock said: “I genuinely care about Failsworth, it’s my home. I care about the residents and am very much involved in the community and can now continue to improve it.

“I’d like to thank the constituents for their support, I will always represent them to the best of my ability.”