Lib Dems Hold Saddleworth Council Seats

Cllr John McCann. He was returned in Saddleworth South.

The Liberal Democrats may have failed to win the Oldham East and Saddleworth Westminster seat, but there was some consolation for them today as their candidates held all three of the Saddleworth wards on Oldham Council. However, they lost three seats elsewhere in the borough to lose control of the council.

In Saddleworth North, Lib Dem Alan Roughley withstood a strong challenge by Independent candidate Ken Hulme to hold on by 251 votes, with the Conservatives third and Labour down in fourth. John McCann held Saddleworth South with a majority of 335 over Conservative Graham Sheldon, with Labour a distant third. And in Saddleworth West and Lees, Barbara Beeley was returned for the Lib Dems by the comfortable margin of 1,197 votes over Labour, with the Tories third.

But, on what proved to be a generally disappointing night for the Lib Dems both in Oldham and nationally, the party lost its controlling position on the borough council. Previously the Lib Dems had held 30 of the 60 seats, just enough to run the council and get decisions passed on the mayor’s casting vote if it was needed. But after losing three councillors, including cabinet member Mohib Uddin in Coldhurst, they’re down to 27 seats. Labour are also on 27 seats after making five gains, including a council comeback for ex-mayor John Battye in Failsworth West.

That leaves the five-strong Conservative group, and Independent Ian Barker, holding the balance of power. The leader of the Labour group, Cllr Jim McMahon, has said he wants to take over leadership of the council from the Lib Dems, while the Lib Dems haven’t ruled out doing a deal with the Tories. Just like in Westminster, talks between the parties will take place over the coming hours and days.

There’s more information from the Oldham Advertiser here.

The results from across Oldham are available on the council’s website here.

Here are the results from the Saddleworth wards:

SADDLEWORTH NORTH (includes Dobcross, Delph, Diggle, Denshaw, Austerlands and Scouthead)

Alan Roughley (Liberal Democrat) – 1,879

Ken Hulme (Independent) – 1,628

Pam Byrne (Conservative) – 1,223

Aileen Bell (Labour) – 816

Majority: 251

Turnout: 72.9%

SADDLEWORTH SOUTH (includes Uppermill, Greenfield, Friezland, Grasscroft and Lydgate)

John McCann (Liberal Democrat) – 2,731

Graham Sheldon (Conservative) – 2,396

Kaiser Rehman (Labour) – 685

Majority: 335

Turnout: 74.2%

SADDLEWORTH WEST AND LEES (includes Grotton, Springhead and Lees)

Barbara Beeley (Liberal Democrat) – 2,625

Paul Fryer (Labour) – 1,428

Derek Chadderton (Conservative) – 1,340

Majority: 1,197

Turnout: 64.8%

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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