Oldham councillors have been told to 'get their big pants on and grow up' ahead of a crucial meeting on May 20 that could determine the future of key services for thousands of residents. The strong words come as the council finds itself in a political stalemate after the local elections, leaving no party with an outright majority.

Reform emerged as the big winner in the May 7 elections, gaining 13 seats, but with only a third of seats contested, Oldham Council remains in no overall control. Labour now has 18 councillors after losing eight seats, Reform holds 16, and the remaining 26 seats are split between other parties and independent groups. Another set of elections are due in 2027, which could see Reform gain more seats, but the balance of power until then has left the council in a deadlock.

Council leader Arooj Shah has said Labour must respect the electorate and step back, acknowledging the shift in voter sentiment. Meanwhile, Reform leader Lewis Quigg has reiterated his group’s commitment to no coalitions or secret agreements. The situation has prompted the borough’s Liberal Democrats to ask the Local Government Association, a national body representing councils, to intervene.

The May 20 meeting will see all councillors gather to choose the next leader of the local authority. However, even if all the small parties band together, they still would not have enough for a majority. This political impasse has left residents unsure of what happens next.

People on the streets of Oldham have shared mixed views on the stalemate. One Reform voter called for change, saying, “Something has got to change. Sticking with the same people, nothing is changing. Give these new people a chance.” Another woman urged councillors to work together, stating, “If they can’t come to a deal, they are very immature. They need to get their big pants on and grow up.”

Others support Labour’s record, with Robert Street commenting, “Labour have been in Oldham for a good while and they seem to have done a good job. They are reasonable. Somebody has got to make decisions but whatever they suggest, somebody else will oppose it. I suppose they will have to come to an agreement.” Joan Friend from Shaw added, “With the amount of cuts they have had, I think they have done a good job. Maybe the pressure is just too much now.”

In Alexandra Park, Phil Slater suggested Labour is stepping back to avoid difficult decisions, saying, “It seems like Labour have abdicated responsibility because they know the big ships are coming into the harbour and do not want to deal with them.” Farzana Mhar emphasised the borough’s potential, saying, “It’s a crying shame that nobody wants to take over. You need to give people a voice and to have some stake in their own local government. This is the most amazing place on earth. It’s very poor, but it has the potential.”

Several Reform voters backed the local party’s position, even with little trust in any party. Pat from Oldham called for a full election or referendum if no agreement is reached, arguing, “If there was a full election, Reform would have the majority and that would tell you something. I think Reform has got the initiative. They are just biding their time. In the meantime there is a bit of chaos and instability.”

As the May 20 meeting approaches, the focus remains on how councillors will navigate the deadlock and prioritise the needs of the community. With services relied on by thousands at stake, residents are watching closely for a resolution that puts Oldham first.