Biographies of each Labour candidate standing in Oldham

Here are the biographies for the Labour candidates standing this year.

Alexandra – Ghazala Rana (Labour)

Ghazala is a Registered Care Manager and a qualified assessor and trainer in health and social care. She supports a team to working within the domiciliary sector supporting some of the most vulnerable in the community. She got involved in politics during the pandemic when her experience on the front line of our care service highlighted the need to support the key workers and vulnerable service users that the government neglected.

Ghazala Rana (Image: Oldham Labour)

Chadderton North – Cllr Eddie Moores (Labour & Co-operative)

I have been a resident of Chadderton for 49 years, I now live on the Firwood Park estate having moved there in 1985.

My wife and I have been Foster Carers, we have raised our own children and we spent 9 years as Family Group Home House Parents. My working life was spent in the rail industry where I started as an apprentice, before going on to hold a variety of technical and managerial posts. I have been an active School Governor for over 20 years, and I am currently a governor at 3 schools, I am also involved with a number of other organisations within the borough and wider afield.

I was first elected to represent the Chadderton Central in 2011, during that period I have worked with my ward colleagues, individual residents, and groups of residents on a wide variety of issues. Due to boundary changes last year I was selected as the candidate for the redrawn Chadderton North ward, where I have continued to work with colleagues and residents on a number of issues.

During my time as a Councillor held a number of positions within the council including Chair of Licensing, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Chair of the Health Scrutiny Committee, Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee and I am currently the Deputy Mayor of Oldham, where I have been working closely to support the Mayor during the past year.

Eddie Moores (Image: Oldham Council)

Chadderton Central – Cllr Elaine Taylor (Labour)

It has been an honour and a privilege to represent Chadderton Central for the past 6 years. I am currently Deputy Leader of Oldham Council and Cabinet Member for Housing and Licencing.

As your local Councillor, my priorities are to make sure that Chadderton is a safe, clean attractive place to live, and because I live in Chadderton too, this matters as much to me as it does to you.

I am committed to giving residents a greater say over how they want their local area to look so that we can develop a shared vision for Chadderton. I will always stand up for residents, and what matters, and I am very proud of Labour’s record in our local area and our town.

Elaine Taylor (Image: Oldham Council)

Chadderton South – Cllr Holly Harrison (Labour & Co-operative)

Holly has been a ward councillor, in Chadderton South, for the past 12 months. Within that time, she has worked diligently for residents, showing determination and belief that things can be changed and made better for all.

As a woman, in a male dominated field, in Chadderton South, she knows how important female representation is.

She says: “Too often, women are underrepresented within our communities. This often leads to women being disadvantaged when decisions are made.

“With your support, if re-elected, you can be assured that I shall be there for all. I just need your X against my name.

Holly Harrison (Image: Oldham Labour)

Coldhurst – Cllr Ruji Sapna Surjan (Labour)

Councillor and candidate for Coldhurst, Cllr Ruji Sapna Surjan, made history as the first British Bangladeshi female Councillor to be elected in Oldham. Since she became elected in 2019 she has helped deliver local pledges and priorities for the community.

Cllr Surjan is currently the Chair of Planning Committee. She is on the panel for the Local Improvement Fund (investing in capital projects across the borough) and also on the Cross Party Panel for Climate Change.

A hardworking and dedicated Councillor, Ruji always puts the residents of Coldhurst first.

Over the last 4 years Cllr Surjan has a proven track record of delivering in Coldhurst as your Labour Councillor

• Plans to build 2,000 new homes in the Town Centre have started
• Plus 88 new homes on Vale Drive on the West Vale Development site is underway
• New secondary school, The Brian Clarke Academy on Middleton Road, set to open this April 2023
• A new sixth form college in partnership with Eton College
• Improvments to green spaces and pocket parks
• New outdoor play equipment at Gresham Drive and gym equipment in Berriesfield Park
• Improved and energy efficient lighting to increase street safety
• Flytipping and alleyway gate schemes
• Weekly Ward Surgery helping dozens of residents
• Ward budget spent supporting local community projects e.g. sports, cultural events, green improvement projects

These are some of the projects Cllr Surjan your Labour Councillor has been working on and there is much more planned.

Ruji Sapna Surjan (Image: Oldham Council)

Crompton – David Barker (Labour)

I’m the only candidate that actually lives in the ward having gone to both primary and secondary school here. For years I’ve seen the Lib Dems congratulate themselves for nothing more than the basics and now the Independent Party can’t even manage that wasting public money on pointless vanity projects and not bothering to understand how the law. Crompton residents should have a councillor that will actively work with the council and just protest on the side lines. We need to put an end to opposition politics by voting Labour on May 2nd.

David Barker (Image: Oldham Labour)

Failsworth East – Ken Rustidge (Labour & Co-operative)

Comes with a wealth of experience, a family man, he was an officer in the army reserve for over 40 years, serving in Iraq as part of Operation Telic. In his capacity as part of the covid 19 task force, he was responsible for the successful medicines supply plan. For these duties he received, the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff’s commendation in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list for his work during the epidemic.

He was also a secondary school teacher for more than 20 years, and has seen first-hand the cuts in our education services by the tory government that continue to blight our children’s future. In his spare time he is a sports enthusiast having a keen interest in rugby, cricket, speedway and stock car racing. Ken understands the problems and challenges facing Failsworth East, and has already got stuck in supporting residents and identifying key issues that need addressing.

Ken Rustidge (Image: Oldham Labour)

Failsworth West – Kyle Phythian (Labour & Co-operative)

I’m standing for a fresh start for Failsworth West. I am passionate about communities and making where we live better. We all deserve to have respect, security and pride in the place we live at a basic level. I’ll champion; More police, Clean streets, Good roads, Family homes I am a former housing cabinet member & councillor, a school governor and a community activist. I have the experience needed to get a fresh start for Failsworth.

Kyle Phythian (Image: Oldham Labour)

Hollinwood – Dr Naseem Aslam (Labour)

Naseem is a doctor and local businessman, who lives in Garden Suburbs with his wife and children. Naseem has been a brilliant advocate for Hollinwood, and has been working closely with Jim McMahon MP to support residents who have been let down by the councillors who were elected last year. As he lives in Hollinwood, Naseem knows what the issues are for people across the ward, and will use his knowledge of his community to ensure that Hollinwood gets it’s fair share, which has been neglected this past year.

Dr Naseem Aslam (Image: Oldham Labour)

Medlock Vale – Cllr Umar Nasheen (Labour & Co-operative)

I have been a Councillor for Medlock Vale Ward since May 2022. I have lived in Medlock Vale for over 35 years. I am married with two children and currently working in the finance industry. I have a real passion about where I live and I have been getting actively involved in community projects, fundraising events and youth programs and this year was appointed Deputy Cabinet Member for Education and Skills.

Over the years I have been an advocate to many residents with issues ranging from domestic abuse, disabilities, financial difficulties, employment, housing, school referrals and helping parents with concerns regarding their children’s education.

I want to help create a clean and healthy environment with the enhancement of Don’t Trash Oldham project and promote stricter fines/penalties to those not abiding by the rules, propose better maintenance of kerbs/pavements/public footpaths, especially around local school access streets/roads. I also will support development in youth services to help pave a better future for the youth of today and work to better educational and employment opportunities.

Umar Nasheen (Image: Oldham Council)

Biographies of Conservative candidates standing in the local elections this year

Biographies of Lib Dems candidates standing in the local elections this year

Biographies of Green candidates standing in the local elections this year

Biographies for Independent and non-mainstream party candidates in election

Royton North – Clint Phythian (Labour)

Clint was previously Councillor for Royton North between 2017-2023. He has been district lead for Royton, deputy cabinet member and vice chair of both overview and scrutiny and performance and value for money committees. He has also served on the planning committee during this time.

As a Councillor Clint has worked with community groups, businesses in Royton and organised community litter picks, along with various case work. He has helped with multiple events in the ward such as the Xmas lights switch on and the Queens jubilee.

Clint is a family man who enjoys live music with his wife, and is a keen football fan who also enjoys lots of outdoor pursuits with his children and grandchildren.

Clint Phythian (Image: Oldham Labour)

Royton South – Cllr Steven Bashforth (Labour)

I’ve been a Councillor for Royton South since May 2003, and I have always stood up for residents. My involvement in the local community over the years has covered all aspects of Royton life, from sponsoring local sports clubs, residents’ groups, charity organisations, and home watch groups, to working with local churches and our local history society. Together with a now passed on Roytoner I established the Royton Branch of the Royal British Legion and served as its first Chairman. I’ve been both actively and sportively involved in local Friends groups and am now working with enthusiastic locals to re-establish a very active community group. And of course, for some 15 years now I put on the red suit at the Royton Christmas lights switch on event.

I am a very experienced councillor who has lived in Royton since the 1960s. I am a strong voice for Royton and know my way around the system, which I use for Royton at every opportunity. There are so many issues I deal with on a daily basis, from bins not being emptied, faded road markings,  planning, housing, anti-social behaviour. I believe my experience, passion for our town and the strong local knowledge I have from a lifelong association with Royton and its people helps me effectively deal with all of this and is a positive valuable asset for our town.

Steve Bashforth (Image: Oldham Labour)

Saddleworth North – Hannah Roberts (Labour)

Hannah Roberts has lived in Delph for over twenty years, having moved to Saddleworth with her husband Ken Hulme and son George. They have championed many local issues. Ken represented the residents of Delph and Denshaw on Saddleworth Parish Council and George was Labour’s first elected borough Councillor for Saddleworth North.

Serving as an Oldham Councillor and Cabinet Member for Housing, Hannah delivered for residents. She:

• Led the plan to redevelop Oldham Town Centre, saving Saddleworth’s Green Belt from
• development.
• Delivered a Registered Landlord Scheme to make sure privately rented homes meet legal
• standards.
• Serves on Oldham’s Foster Panel, supporting some of Saddleworth’s most vulnerable
• children.

If you put your trust in me, I will be a strong voice for Saddleworth North on Oldham Council making sure that we get the services and support that we need.

Hannah Roberts (Image: Hannah Roberts)

Saddleworth South – Dominic Wall (Labour & Co-operative)

Dominic Wall has lived in Greenfield for over thirty years, During his career as a headteacher in Oldham he opened Kingfisher Special School. He has been a parent governor at Saddleworth School and Oldham Sixth Form, coached youth teams for Saddleworth Rangers and Greenfield Village Olympics and currently serves on Saddleworth Parish Council.

As your local representative, Dominic would:

• Continue to press for United Utilities to clean our rivers and waterways in Saddleworth
• Lobby for better health services for Saddleworth, including a new Health Centre and more NHS dentistry;
• Promote affordable housing development on brownfield sites, so that our children can choose to live where they grew up;
• Protect Saddleworth’s environment by saying no to developments in the Green Belt,
• Campaign to stop gamebird shooting in Saddleworth, that harms biodiversity and restricts public access to open land;
• Work with the Mayor Andy Burnham to improve local bus and train services.

Dominic Wall (Image: Hannah Roberts)

Saddleworth West & Lees – Dave Barter (Labour)

Dave Barter worked in Oldham for 24 years as a teacher and in school improvement, as well as being a governor of two schools. He lives in Lees. Dave has never been a councillor and is not interested in a ‘political career’, but has been chair of two residents’ groups, an active member of his trade union, and is known locally as a campaigner - from utility prices and sewage dumping to rights at work. He thinks that Grotton, Lees and Springhead need a Labour Government, and a Labour councillor, to:

• support local residents working to stop speeding and to protect the environment, rights of way, and open land,
• be a champion for local schools and a strong voice for parents and carers
• tackle the cost of living crisis – for local charities, against price hikes, for anyone locally fighting against the effect of decline in their pay

Dave Barter (Image: Hannah Roberts)

St James – Cllr Josh Charters (Labour & Co-operative)

Since I was elected as a Labour councillor for St James last year, I've been working hard for residents across the ward, ensuring that no-one in our area is left behind. I've been standing up for our communities in council meetings, demanding traffic calming measures across the ward, bidding for funds to improve our parks in Moorside and Derker and championing our Millennium Green and community centre in Sholver. As the council’s Armed Forces Champion, I’ve been working closely with veterans, charities and partner organisations to ensure that Oldham is doing all it can for those that served in the armed forces. Working as Deputy Cabinet Member for Children & Young People, I’ve been a huge champion for our Youth Service, protecting young people from cuts in the council budget and working alongside our Youth Council to ensure that young people have a voice in Oldham.

Josh Charters (Image: Oldham Labour)

St Marys – Cllr Ali Aqeel Salamat (Labour)

I have been a Cllr for St Mary's ward since May 2010. It has been an honour to represent St. Mary’s on Oldham Council for 14 years. By listening to residents and being actively involved in our community I have learned so much about our area and been able to deliver for the residents of St. Mary’s.

I am Chairman of Central District Partnership, which includes Alexandra, Coldhurst and St. Mary’s wards. I am also a member of Audit Committee and Health Scrutiny Committee.

In the face of Tory austerity attacking our vital public services and seeking to divide our communities with populist politics, St. Mary's needs a strong and experienced voice. I am committed to the area and will continue to stand up for residents during this critical period. Please support me so I can continue to be a strong voice for St. Mary’s on Oldham Council.

Ali Aqeel Salamat (Image: Oldham Labour)

Shaw – Stephen Hewitt (Labour)

Stephen is a committed trade unionist and previously worked for Oldham Council on the bins for 22 years. He studied at night school, getting a qualification in occupational health and safety before moving on to get a teaching degree. As a former councillor and parish councillor in Saddleworth West & Lees, Stephen was instrumental in opposing a housing development on green land in Springhead, a legal battle which is still ongoing. Stephen has a strong track record of being a vocal champion for the community he represents and has been tenacious in all that he does.

Stephen Hewitt (Image: Oldham Labour)

Waterhead – Cllr Ros Birch (Labour & Co-operative)

Having been born and spent my formative years in Oldham, I understand the pride that our residents have in our Borough.

I as a single Mum at the age of 20 and I wanted my son to have the very best start in life, so I worked part-time whilst attending further education and eventually entered Higher Education when my son started school.  I trained to become a tutor in further education, which led me to complete an undergraduate degree in Vocational Education and Training.

I have worked in schools, colleges, training providers and universities since graduating and I believe that everyone should have access to lifelong learning opportunities to improve social mobility.  My background provides me with a good understanding of skills needs of Oldham residents in improving social mobility.

Alongside my council duties I work as a tutor, teaching basic maths skills to adults across Greater Manchester.

Ros Birch (Image: Oldham Council)