Neil Wilby Media

Cllr Howard Sykes, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group on Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, confirmed to Neil Wilby Media a short time ago that his Party will now form the official Opposition to the ruling Labour Party.

This follows the exclusive news revealed here this morning that the former Opposition, the Conservative Party, had suspended three of its elected Members whom can now be named as Cllrs Kamran Ghafoor, Abdul Wahid and Muhammad Irfan. All represent the Hollinwood ward after winning elections for the first time in May, 2023 in what was for many years a Labour stronghold.

Cllr Ghafoor is a well-established and successful local businessman, best known as proprietor of the popular Café East restaurant in Oldham and his magnificent Rolls-Royce motor car. He was formerly a Labour Party member, many years ago.

This reduces the Tories to eight councillors whereas the LibDems, whom routinely and probably quite correctly, describe themselves as ‘The Real Opposition’, have ten.

A group riven with bitter discord, in-fighting, conspiracy theories and childishness, those wearing the blue rosette appear to have achieved nothing of note during their short tenure holding a failing Labour administration to account.

The next meeting of Oldham’s Full Council is scheduled for Wednesday, 13th December, 2023. It promises to be a lively affair.

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Page last updated: Friday 23rd November, 2023 at 06h45

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