As the local elections on 7 May draw near, Oldham finds itself under the national spotlight once again, with journalists exploring what has been described as a 'toxic atmosphere' and 'divided communities'. This comes after years of volatile politics in the borough, from councillors facing serious threats to explosive debates in the council chambers, leaving many residents disillusioned with their local authority.

The borough's political struggles have been well-documented, including incidents such as car bombings and arson attacks targeting councillors, contentious handling of child sexual exploitation issues, and even cases of 'council espionage' that have created deep rifts within the town hall. Such events have contributed to a loss of faith among Oldham residents, who are seeking change and reassurance from their elected representatives.

In an effort to address these concerns, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) asked every political party and formal independent group how they plan to tackle Oldham's 'broken' politics and restore trust. Here are the responses from the Conservative group and the Green Party.

Councillor Max Woodvine, leader of the Oldham Conservative group, emphasised a commitment to cooperation across party lines. 'In the context of no overall control, the Conservatives on Oldham Council will work with all political groups and parties in a spirit of cooperation, as we always have, to ensure good service delivery and value for money for our residents,' he said. He also pledged to focus on policy over personality, saying, 'We will continue to provide strong and effective scrutiny of the Administration, whoever forms it, but we will redouble our efforts to focus on policy and forget personality.' Woodvine highlighted the need for transparency, stating that 'a fresh approach is needed' and that they cannot 'continue to withhold information from Councillors and residents alike.'

A spokesperson for the Conservative group acknowledged the negative reputation, noting, 'There is no hiding from the fact that politics in Oldham has become disjointed and fractious. This has led to articles in the national media, where Oldham, very sadly, has been labelled as toxic.' They added that the Conservatives have sought to distance themselves from 'unpleasant online mudslinging' and focus on local issues in their wards for the benefit of residents.

Paul Singleton, the Green Party candidate for Chadderton North, addressed the broader issue of toxic politics. 'Politics in general has become increasingly toxic and we’re seeing that at every level of this election: from the misinformation put out by opposing parties and candidates, employers attempting to pressure our candidates to stand down, threats and intimidation against voters, and the dehumanisation and abuse of our members – on social media and on the street – by a minority of people,' he said. Singleton committed to restoring trust through truth and transparency, stating, 'For our part, the Green Party is committed to restoring trust in politics. We do not engage in direct, personal attacks on people, only policy. We will not stand for abuse against anyone in any forum, and, where appropriate, we report it to the relevant authorities.' He hoped that being 'truthful, transparent, and consistent in our principles' could help restore faith in politics.

These responses come at a crucial time for Oldham, as residents prepare to vote on 7 May. The hope is that by addressing the underlying issues and committing to transparent, policy-focused politics, the borough can move past its reputation and rebuild trust within the community.