19/05/2026
Statement from Cllr Kamran Ghafoor and The Oldham Group:
Oldham residents voted for change. They voted for a Council that gets the basics right, respects every ward, listens to councillors, and stops hiding behind spin while services decline.
The proposed Alliance is not about one party, one community, one religion or one individual. It is about bringing together councillors from different political groups and backgrounds to deliver a fresh start for the whole borough.
For too long, Oldham has been run in a way where decisions are made behind closed doors, ward councillors are bypassed, scrutiny is weakened, and residents are left in the dark. That must now change.
An Alliance administration would commit to:
- Fair funding for every ward, including a clear commitment to work towards £1 million for each ward so every district of Oldham receives visible investment, not just the town centre.
- An enhanced role for ward councillors, ensuring elected members are no longer bypassed by the administration or officers. Councillors have a democratic mandate from their voters and must be properly involved in decisions affecting their communities.
- Stronger scrutiny and transparency, so the administration can no longer pull the wool over the eyes of councillors or residents when it comes to overspending, major contracts, land deals, regeneration schemes or service failures.
- Opening the books, with a clear and honest review of Council finances, spending decisions, land transactions and major projects, so residents can finally see where their money has gone and what choices have been made in their name.
- Full cooperation with the national inquiry into child sexual exploitation, making it absolutely clear that no door will be closed, no document withheld, and no institution protected from scrutiny.
This is the change Oldham needs.
Recent attempts to smear this proposed Alliance as being about religion, race or narrow sectional interests are false, divisive and irresponsible. Any suggestion that an Alliance led by Cllr Kamran Ghafoor would govern for only one community is completely untrue.
Oldham Council must serve all residents — Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, people of all faiths and none. It must serve every town, every village, every estate, every ward and every taxpayer equally.
Personal attacks on councillors who are willing to support change are equally unacceptable. Councillors should be judged on whether they are prepared to put residents first, not smeared because they refuse to keep Labour in power by default.
Cllr Arooj Shah and Oldham Labour have had their opportunity. The electorate has sent a clear message. Labour cannot step back from responsibility, lose public support, and then expect to retain control simply because others are attacked for trying to build a working majority.
This is now a test for every councillor.
Do we accept the result of the election and work together for change?
Or do we allow fear, division and political self-interest to keep Oldham stuck where it is?
The Oldham Group believes the borough needs a fresh start, fairer investment, stronger scrutiny, open books, empowered councillors, and full accountability.
