Conservatives deny Labour accusation election leaflet is 'racist and misogynistic'

On the leaflet, which is being contested by Conservative candidate Tom Lord, the voters are told they will decide between "Tom Lord from Oldham" or council leader "Arooj Shah's Labour candidate".

The claim has been strongly denied by Cllr Dave Arnott, who on behalf of the Conservatives said it was 'puzzling' Labour did not want it known who the council leader was. 

The Labour candidate running in the ward is Leanne Munroe, and Cllr Amanda Chadderton, deputy leader of the council, has condemned the Conservatives over the leaflet.

Cllr Chadderton said: "This isn’t even dog whistle politics.

"This is so beyond the pale racist and misogynistic, that I’m astonished an apparently mainstream party would put this out. 

"The candidates that have put their names to these leaflets should be ashamed of themselves." 

The leaflet distributed in St James ward

She also said the leaflet "smacks of absolute desperation" and said the Conservatives were focused on "nasty personal politics in relation to the leader of the council".

In response to Cllr Chadderton's words, Cllr Arnott of the Conservatives said: "Oldham Conservatives would never publish or distribute anything racist or misogynistic in any way, and strongly condemn this form of discrimination wherever it is found.

"It is puzzling that Councillor Chadderton appears not to want the people of Oldham to know that Councillor Arooj Shah is the Labour Leader of Oldham Council. 

"Serious allegations of racism and misogyny require serious proof. 

"The Labour Party in Oldham seem to enjoy playing identity politics more than delivering on local priorities."

This is not the first dispute over leaflets during this election run-up, with a separate leaflet leading Cllr Shah to write an open letter to members of Oldham's Conservative Party.

Cllr Chadderton described the conduct of Oldham Conservative Party in recent times as "reprehensible" and said they were "at the forefront" of a political "race to the bottom".

Cllr Arnott responded by saying: "Oldham Conservatives have conducted a robust campaign and will continue to do so, as most people would expect from an opposition party."

Roger Pakeman, the Green party candidate for St James, said: "Myself and the rest of  Oldham & Saddleworth Green Party are appalled by this leaflet.

"Oldham Conservatives are setting a new low for local politics.

"The Green Party is totally opposed to this destructive way of doing politics."

The Liberal Democrats and Proud of Oldham and Saddleworth, who both have candidates running in the ward, were contacted for comment.