The atmosphere was tense in Oldham as the borough braced itself for planned far-right and anti-immigration protests on Wednesday last week.

With a history of riots and race-related violence, community leaders across the borough feared they’d see outbreaks of unrest similar to those in Manchester and Liverpool. 

Only five years ago, a visit by far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson resulted in appalling violence and more than 90 arrests when protestors and counter-protestors clashed on the streets of Limeside. 

Local figureheads were worried about a repeat of 2019 after the recent tensions, warning locals to ‘stay safe’ and ‘not retaliate to any information’ shared online. 

So council leaders let out a sigh of relief when instead of riots outside Expert Immigration on Ellen Street, peaceful counter-protesters gathered in a show of solidarity on August 7. 

Now council leader Arooj Shah has praised Oldham for ‘fighting back against identity politics’ in the face of ‘malignant forces’ who ‘targeted immigrants and people of colour’. She’s called on Oldhamers to carry on ‘sticking together’ and ‘challenging those who divide us’. 

In a statement released ahead of time, Clllr Shah wrote about a ‘shared pride’ across Oldham that was about ‘celebrating the diversity of the town’s past and present’. 

This is the council leader’s statement: “In recent years, identity politics has threatened to divide communities across our nation.

"Populists seeking political support sow division and resentment between us rather than offering meaningful solutions to Britain’s challenges. They offer oversimplified answers to complex issues, often by blaming immigration and targeting people of colour.

"They make it seem as though these groups are the root of all problems, rather than addressing the real, underlying issues.

“Identity politics has been exploited by malignant forces both within and around communities. These groups build walls between people, frustrate cooperation, and spread mistruths, all in the pursuit of constructing new power bases that serve their own interests. They manipulate legitimate concerns and grievances, twisting them into tools for division rather than dialogue.

“This exploitation is not just limited to one side; it can be found across the political spectrum. Advocates of identity politics – and their followers who relish the disorder it creates – want to maintain the tension and anxiety we have unfortunately seen on the streets of other towns across the country this Summer.

“But there is hope. 

“Here in Oldham, we have fought back against identity politics and its most invidious actors. We’ll keep building a strong, united community instead of letting society break down into isolated, self-centred individuals. 

“We know, from decades of experience, that we make the most progress when we work together to achieve shared goals and when we are loudly proud of the wide spectrum of communities, people and groups who make up the modern town of Oldham.

“We know that as society becomes ever more fragmented, as we retreat deeper into our own echo chambers only reading or viewing a slim sample of ideas and experiences, and as the institutions and organisations which once bound us closer together are dismantled, the challenge of creating a healthy, multifaceted community becomes more challenging.

“As your council we take a leading role in addressing this.

“We’re proud of our identity. We have a rich history, from the Whit Walks and our proud rugby league tradition to our industrial heritage in cotton spinning and textiles. We have been pioneers in social progress, from the Suffragettes to the birth of test-tube babies. This is our heritage, and it belongs to all of us.

“Oldham is a town where we celebrate the diversity of our past and our present, because it has been and always will be a key building block of Oldham and our great nation. Whether it’s Diwali, Christmas, Hannukah, or Eid, we come together to share in the joy of each other’s traditions. These celebrations are more than just holidays; they are opportunities to learn, connect, and grow as one community.

“We know we are all better when we are together, and we will continue to seek, promote and champion those in our community who are looking to bring us together rather than those who sow division. As your council, we are committed to fostering a community that values inclusion and togetherness. 

“We are proud of Oldham’s identity – not just as individuals, but as a collective, diverse, and vibrant town. Our strength lies in our unity. We will continue to promote those who seek to bring us together and challenge those who try to divide us. 

“Together, we can ensure that Oldham remains a place where everyone feels at home, where we are all proud to belong.”