Statement on this week’s annual council meeting

This week’s Annual Council has ended in a stalemate, making it the first time the borough has failed to elect a Mayor, and with it the failure to allow the meeting to continue its business of electing a new leader and cabinet, leaving the borough in limbo.

Oldham deserves better than this. The grandstanding which took place wasn’t necessary and it can’t be said it was in the public interest.

Labour did the right thing. It took account of the election result and didn’t attempt to hold on to control at all costs. It recognised the mood was for change and called on the two successful parties to come forward with a viable administration. Labour also stood to honour the commitment made by the council a year earlier to Cllr Hobin when he was elected Deputy Mayor, to support his nomination on to Mayor for the forthcoming year.

Instead of the other parties doing the same they became caught up in petty and personal politics aimed at removing the would-be mayor before he even took office. Why, when it added nothing to the fundamental question of who would form the administration?

Taking away the person involved; there has been a deeply disappointing break with the convention of the “first citizen” of Oldham; in that the Deputy Mayor serves in preparation before becoming the Mayor the following year.

Whatever party politics may divide, the office of Mayor has always been treated with a degree of respect and civic decency, and ought to be above politics.

Oldham faces serious challenges, from regeneration and housing to neighbourhood services and community cohesion. What people want is leadership prepared to put the borough first, not more political games.

The practical fall out also means the council doesn’t have a functioning administration.

This is not a new challenge, the outgoing Labour administration had to operate under minority control, and before taking control in 2011, the borough was run by a Lib Dem and Conservative coalition. Unless Reform as the second largest party, and the Oldham Group as the third largest party together with the Lib Dems, Conservatives and various Independents, come forward with viable proposals then the borough faces calls for government intervention.

But before then, let’s hope the unnecessary and petty-minded politics is taken out of it.