Liberal Democrats nominate councillor Alicia Marland as next Deputy Mayor of Oldham

At the forthcoming Annual Meeting of Oldham Council the Liberal Democrat Group will nominate Saddleworth West & Lees councillor Alicia Marland to become Deputy Mayor of Oldham Borough for the next year.

Councillor Marland said, “It is an honour have been put forward by my Liberal Democrat colleagues.  Serving as Deputy Mayor is a wonderful opportunity to champion and support every community and every corner of Oldham Borough."

The councillor who is chosen to serve as Deputy Mayor spends a year in role before serving as Mayor of the Borough the following year.  The position is politically neutral, with each party given the opportunity to nominate candidates in turn, ensuring appointments are politically balanced and alternated between the various groups and individuals on the Council.

According to this 50-year custom, this year it falls to the Liberal Democrat Group to nominate a candidate.

However, it is expected that councillor Marland will be snubbed, following a deal between Labour and members of the Shaw and Failsworth Independent Groups.

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader Howard Sykes MBE said, “The Labour Party and their so-called ‘Independent’ coalition partners have done a grubby deal.  It is now clear that the position of Deputy Mayor is being used as a handout to one of these so-called Independents in return for votes to keep Labour in power.

“At a time when the reputation of Oldham Council lies in tatters, the Mayor’s Office is still a respected force for good across our Borough.  For the Labour Party and their so-called ‘Independent’ supporters to politicise the Office damages public faith in the Council even further and destroys confidence in the political neutrality of the Mayor.”