Oldham will see a leadership change for the third year in a row after Amanda Chadderton lost her seat following all-out local elections.

Overall, despite holding onto their majority, it was a disappointing day for Labour and they will now be looking to choose a third council leader in as many years, with the role possibly seeming like a poisoned chalice.

Elsewhere, former council leader Arooj Shah will return as a councillor, this time representing the St Mary’s ward, following a big victory.

Cllr Shah said she felt “anxious” when she began campaigning in a new ward, but that she felt supported throughout the process.

Before the votes were announced, she had said she felt concerned for some of her “lovely” Labour colleagues who would go on to lose their seats.

Shah received the biggest vote in the ward, giving her four years guaranteed as a councillor.

It was not a great day for Labour on the whole, as they lost three seats in total, including all three in Hollinwood, which all went to the Conservatives in one of the day’s biggest shocks.

Newcomers Kamran Ghafoor, Muhammad Irfan and Abdul Wahid, who will all now represent Hollinwood, displaced Labour veterans Steve Williams and cabinet member Hannah Roberts.

The vote does not reflect the national mood, which saw a major shift away from Conservative councils, with Labour and the Lib Dems making gains.

Along with Labour losing three seats, the Conservatives gained two, the Lib Dems gained one seat, the Failsworth Independent Party lost two seats and there are now two extra independent councillors.

Labour holds onto its majority with 32 seats, but the results will feel like a blow, while the Conservatives are now the biggest opposition party on the council.

 

Voter turnout was 35.1 per cent, an improvement from last year and one of the highest turnout rates in the Greater Manchester region, according to council CEO Harry Catherall.

Wards to see a major rise in voting turnout were St Mary’s and Werneth, with increases of 22.2 and 18.9 respectively.