‘I’m going to be an MP’ says unemployed former Tandoori takeaway worker

A notorious Tameside-based conspiracy theorist, who has held down only one job since 2017, a temporary gig working in an Indian takeaway in Middleton, Greater Manchester on a zero hours contract (read more here), has signalled his intention to stand in the General Election in 2024. Bradford-born Raja Miah dramatically and exclusively announced to his small,Continue reading “‘I’m going to be an MP’ says unemployed former Tandoori takeaway worker”

Bungling Borough Solicitor blamed for Bardoc blunder

One of the biggest controversies to spill out of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council in this municipal year has been an alleged smear campaign waged against one of its most prominent and best known politicians. It has led to a flurry of legal letters and ferocious arguments waged on social media, and in the local press,Continue reading “Bungling Borough Solicitor blamed for Bardoc blunder”

Wet weather adds to low by-election turnout fears

Polling stations opened just over an hour ago in Oldham as voting takes place today in a by-election called following the sad death of Cllr Jean Stretton in September, 2022. Jean was a popular Labour Party councillor for twenty years in the Hollinwood ward and a respected former Leader of the Metropolitan Borough Council. TheContinue reading “Wet weather adds to low by-election turnout fears”

Oldham by-election set to be hotly contested

Following the sad passing of Cllr Jean Stretton, a former Leader of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, a by-election will take place on Thursday 17th November, 2022 to elect a successor as one of the three councillors representing the Hollinwood ward. Labour Party colleagues, Cllr Kyle Phythian and Steve Williams, presently hold the other two seatsContinue reading “Oldham by-election set to be hotly contested”

Discredited conspiracy theorist is NOT moving back to Oldham

Amidst mounting speculation, it can be confirmed exclusively that an unemployed 49 year old cult leader is not returning to the place he very frequently describes as ‘my town’ and from which he has milked millions of pounds from a succession of failed charity and free school ventures. Raja Miah, a long term resident ofContinue reading “Discredited conspiracy theorist is NOT moving back to Oldham”

Will hate campaign claim second local council Leader?

With the countdown to the local elections in May, 2022 now well under way, the biggest question in the Greater Manchester Region, and possibly the whole of the North West, is will Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council be saying ‘goodbye’ to its Leader, Cllr Arooj Shah, who is up for re-election in the Chadderton South ward,Continue reading “Will hate campaign claim second local council Leader?”

Poisoning the debate

This article is heavily underpinned by extracts taken from HOPEnothate’s 2022 State of Hate report headlined ‘On The March Again‘. Full credit is given to them. The 140 page document can be accessed in full here. In the chapter headed ‘Hyperlocal Politics: New channels’ (page 84) the Failsworth Independent Party (FIP) and susceptibility to farContinue reading “Poisoning the debate”

Disgraced activist splits from political party it is claimed he founded

Disgraced Tameside-based political activist, Raja Miah, has split from the controversial Proud of Oldham and Saddleworth Party (the POOS or POAS). In a brief announcement on his frequently banned Recusant Nine platform, on 24th October, 2021, he said: “There is the small matter of a parting of the ways with Proud of Oldham and Saddleworth.Continue reading “Disgraced activist splits from political party it is claimed he founded”

Tories stonewall enquiries over alleged links to disgraced activist

In an article first published elsewhere on this website on 9th October, 2021 (read more here), it was exclusively revealed that a disgraced political activist from Tameside, Greater Manchester, was claiming affinity with, and support from, members of the Oldham and Saddleworth Conservative Federation. Raja Miah, presently on police bail over suspicions of racially aggravatedContinue reading “Tories stonewall enquiries over alleged links to disgraced activist”

New kids on the block

This is a version of a post that appeared on Facebook yesterday (15th October), edited for syntax errors and to avoid defamation claims or committal proceedings for contempt, writes Neil Wilby. The profile behind it describes ‘The Old Hammer‘ (TOH) as ‘a new news outlet for Oldham. Coming soon for the 2022 local elections’. “FirstContinue reading “New kids on the block”