Cllr. Mark Ruthven-Reform UK- Failsworth West

16/06/2026

16/06/2026

15/06/2026

Reform UK have broken the deadlock.

Councillor Pam Byrne nominated herself as a Conservative and was supported by Councillor Mark Wilkinson of Reform UK.

No deals, no backroom deals, just the best person for the job.

We broke the deadlock.

Reform Councillors stepped up when others wouldn't.

At long last the Council has a Mayor and Chairman.

Whilst Pam is not of Reform UK, we have sent Pam some flowers to congratulate her.

13/06/2026

Good Afternoon ….
As I’ve always stated I will be transparent in what I’ve been undertaking in my new role I thought I would post a quick update ..
As i am a new to role councillor I have been undertaking several OMBC online and face to face courses which are mandatory for me to attend .
I have been helping several constituents with problems they have had in the ward and this is ongoing to date … antisocial behaviour , environmental issues, fly tipping and helping a lovely lady with a personal matter that left me humbled to say the least, a joy to help !!!
Also as I work closely with Mark and Sandra In the west I have been having ongoing meetings and discussions with them to secure solutions to cases we have been handling .
Our next surgery will be Monday June 22nd at Failsworth Town Hall at 18:00hrs and we would all be happy to help !
Next full council meeting is Monday 15th June 2026 .
Many Thanks
Mark

09/06/2026

In July, I'll be taking on an abseil at Millers Dale in the Peak District with MPCT Manchester and RBL Failsworth as a joint fundraising challenge with Carolyn Tasker , Angie T Chipman , Chris Worden ,Les Gandy ,Jack Wild , My Grandson Tyler Ruthven and Sandra Ball Failsworth West– we must be mad! 😬

We're raising money for the Northwest Air Ambulance in memory of Paul Wadsworth and we'd be incredibly grateful for any support you can give.

Every donation, no matter how small, will help this amazing charity continue providing life-saving care when it's needed most.

You can donate via our JustGiving page here:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/carolyn-tasker-1780845815427?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=EM

Thank you to everyone who supports us and helps keep Paul's memory alive through this fundraising effort. ❤️

"Wish us luck – I know I'll need it!"

Help Carolyn Tasker raise money to support North West Air Ambulance

29/05/2026

Brilliant news that the Market is back on for the rest of the year . Well done Sandra Ball Failsworth West and all involved

20/05/2026

Coalition of Chaos Refuses to Work with Oldham Reform UK

For Immediate Release

Oldham Reform UK expresses its deep disappointment at the collapse of negotiations surrounding the election of the Mayor at Oldham Council.

Following the May 2026 local elections, Reform UK emerged as the party with the largest share of the vote, receiving a clear and strong mandate from residents across the borough.

We were clear, no back room deals, no secret agreements and no Coalitions. Today we made efforts to break the impasse surrounding the election if Mayor. We listened carefully but due to the entrenched positions of some, we could not progress.

No one candidate got a majority to be Mayor.

Negotiations eventually broke down. Reform UK can confirm that other political groups refused to engage constructively with us, despite our repeated attempts to find common ground.

In a genuine effort to resolve the impasse, Reform UK took the unusual and constructive step of proposing a non-Reform candidate for the mayoral position. All proposals were rejected.

This outcome leaves Oldham with what can only be described as a “coalition of chaos,” where political manoeuvring has taken precedence over the interests of local residents.

Reform UK remains clear in its position:

We acted responsibly and constructively in asking groups to put forward fresh candidates.We continue to keep the door open to all parties willing to engage in meaningful discussions to break the deadlock

Our priority remains delivering for the people of Oldham. We will continue to advocate for stability, transparency, and common-sense leadership at the council.

"Mayor Eddie Moores returned to the chamber and said: "Extensive discussions with groups that are still ongoing", adding that the meeting is about to be adjourned.

Councillor Lewis Quigg (Reform UK) said:

"The people of Oldham will look on this today and think we are a shambles and that we should rightly knock our heads together.

The opportunity is in everyone else court. We've had out door open all day and no agreement has been found."