Independents, The Oldham Group (TOG), in a shock announcement to Neil Wilby Media has revealed that Councillor Graham Sheldon has joined their ranks, further strengthening the commitment to putting Oldham and Saddleworth first, they say.
Welcoming the former Conservative Group Leader to the Party, TOG Leader, Cllr Kamran Ghafoor, said:
“I have known Cllr Sheldon for quite a number of years, and I am proud to welcome him into our group. He is a man of vision and integrity, and with his help, we look forward to expanding our group into all areas of Oldham. We encourage anyone who shares our passion for the betterment of our town to reach out and join us in making a real difference.”
“With the addition of Councillor Sheldon, The Oldham Group now stands as a joint opposition to the current administration with the Liberal Democrats. We will continue to hold the minority administration, led by Labour to account at every turn. Ensuring that the interests of our residents are always put first.
“This move also reflects our commitment to inclusivity. The Oldham Group is open to everyone, regardless of background, and we welcome those who share our passion for improving our town. We believe that real change comes from uniting people from all walks of life to work towards a common goal.
“We invite anyone who shares our vision to get in touch and be part of a movement that is dedicated to the future of our town.”
Cllr Sheldon added: “I am pleased to be joining The Oldham Group, who I believe are doing the best for the people of Oldham. Now, Saddleworth will be represented by the joint opposition, ensuring that our voice is heard. This is an important step in making sure our communities get the representation they deserve.”
The Oldham Group is widely expected to take away a significant number of Labour seats at the May, 2026 local elections. There are no elections this year which, given the government’s daily woes under the worst Prime Minister in history, also brings a welcome, if temporary, relief to Oldham’s red rosette councillors. ______________________________________________________________________________
Page last updated: Thursday 27th March, 2025 at 11h55
Corrections: Please let me know if there is a mistake in this article. I will endeavour to correct it as soon as possible.
Right of reply: If you are mentioned in this article and disagree with it, please let me have your comments. Provided your response is not defamatory it will be added to the article.
Photo Credits: NWM
© Neil Wilby 2015-2025. Unauthorised use, or reproduction, of the material contained in this article, without permission from the author, is strictly prohibited. Extracts from, and links to, the article (or blog) may be used, provided that credit is given to Neil Wilby, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Neil Wilby Media 
Leave a comment