Liberal Democrats to vote ‘no confidence’ in Labour Council Leader

At the forthcoming Annual Meeting of Oldham Council (21/05), Liberal Democrat members will support a no confidence vote aimed at ousting embattled Labour Leader of the Council Arooj Shah.

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “At the last election in Oldham (24), the Labour Party lost its majority on the Council.  For the last year, they have been supported to remain in power by a group of so-called Independents who were voted in to oppose Labour.

“Over the last year we have seen Labour use every trick in the book to cling onto power.  Putting themselves first when they should be thinking about the people of Oldham Borough.  The Council’s reputation is in tatters.  Public trust in local leaders is in the gutter.  It is clear that the public does not have confidence in the Labour Leader or her administration.  Therefore, the Liberal Democrats will vote for change at the Annual Council Meeting.”

Whilst the Liberal Democrats are lining up against councillor Shah’s Labour Group, it is understood that Labour’s grubby deal with some ‘Independent’ members is alive and well.

The position of Deputy Mayor – which was by rights supposed to go to a Liberal Democrat councillor this year – is expected to be gifted to Failsworth councillor and key Labour ally councillor Brian Hobin.  It is also expected that the so-called Shaw Independents will once more back Labour and keep them and the Labour Leader in power.