Oldham’s largest opposition bloc will field joint candidates with George Galloway’s Workers Party at next May’s council elections, cementing an alliance struck during closed-door talks on Tuesday.

The Oldham Group, which currently counts eight independents among its ranks, will brand its hopefuls as “Oldham Group and Workers Party” contenders in Werneth and South Chadderton. Rangzaib Nazir will contest Werneth, while Saqib Javaid seeks the South Chadderton seat when voters go to the polls on 7 May 2026.

Kamran Ghafoor, who leads the group formed by ex-Conservatives and first-time independents campaigning on anti-Labour and pro-Palestine platforms, said the tie-up “will strengthen relationships between our organisations and provide a platform for greater electoral success.” He added that they are “looking for strategic partnerships wherever it will help get rid of the Labour Party” and stressed cooperation with other groups remains possible.

Workers Party deputy leader Imtiaz Ahmad travelled to Oldham for the 23 September meeting as part of a national drive to stand 1,000 candidates countrywide. George Galloway, the party’s founder and former MP, declared: “Oldham deserves better than the failed leadership it suffers today. By joining forces with the Oldham Group, we are uniting strength with strength to deliver real representation for local people. This is the beginning of a wider movement in Oldham and across the country, to put power back in the hands of the people.”

The Workers Party, which describes itself as socialist and working-class, promotes socially conservative policies, opposes NATO, and advocates a single-state solution to the Gaza conflict.

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