LABOUR.
This is the party that has spent the last decade or so in Oldham decrying the Lib Dems for the 12% council tax increase a few years ago. Of course there's no mention of the previous years 2% increase but in any case, if it was so terrible, when Labour got to power why didn't they instantly impose a 12% reduction in council tax? Instead, every single year they have increased it by 4.99%. And thats a good thing we are told? Surely in line with inflation rises should be the norm? After all do you feel you've got 5% better roads or refuse collection? Is your councillor 5% better at their job than last time? Why do Labour have to aim for this 5% figure? It was announced at the maximum possible rise for the next four years by the Labour group. So far they have hit the maximum possible rise every single year they have been in power.
This is also the most ignorant and ungracious party standing in Oldham. There was not one magnanimous gesture at the count from a Labour candidate. Labour had clearly bussed in its supporters who filled the public gallery, intimidating certain candidates, cheering and whooping like a zoo at feeding time whenever there was a Labour win. Candidates being shouldered around, fists in the air, shouting. What a contrast to ANY other result which was greeted with polite applause and "well done" messages where other parties were concerned. Then of course the now obligatory setting off of fireworks outside the count at 2am while the police watch this lawbreaking impassively. No wonder all respect seems to have disappeared in this town. Labour ground it out of Oldhamers. Shame on you.
LIB-DEMS.
Well, they really should have picked up handsomely on Labour this time but they simply haven't. A poor showing by a party seemingly more interested in self preservation and keeping the old timers on than actually representing the people. The Lib Dem clique is stronger year on year and I don't see any of the fresh faces from past years who seem to have any intention of representing their ward. You will however have no problem finding leaflet after leaflet claiming responsibility for anything and everything. Almost exclusively these improvements will have nothing to do with them but they will take the credit. "This fencing was put up because of us", "these potholes have been fixed after 12 years of nagging by us" etc. If they can't take back the council in this climate it might be time to accept it won't happen again?
CONSERVATIVES.
Can best be described as having started a slow comeback. I really find myself warming to the new Conservatives locally. Of course we should never loose colourful characters like John Hudson (Greenfield) and it's a shame he lost again (not by a big margin) but a slow resurgence in the Tory vote has to be a good thing for democracy even if you disagree with their policies
BNP.
They simply didn't turn up did they. Maybe after this result the other parties will finally learn that no amount of scare tactics and bleating about the BNP gets through to electors. There is nothing a voter likes to hear less than "you shouldn't vote for xxxxxx party because it makes you a bad person". If anything thats driven voters to the BNP in the past. I don't agree with many of the BNP's policies but they have exactly the same right to field candidates, canvass support etc as any other party. It galls me to see the other parties trying to silence the BNP. What if it was the other way around.
INDEPENDENTS.
By virtue there was a mixed bag. Always very difficult for an independent to score a hit (unless they are from a clan). Remember that independents don't have a party machine blindly supporting and bank rolling them. They are usually doing it out of a sense of duty or indeed anger. Sometimes this is the home to some strange candidatory but always colourful and always welcome if only to give voters a place to register a protest vote.
GREENS.
Erm. Not a lot to say really. Nice to see anyone other than the main three in the fray but not really a force in Oldham. Some pleasant and some colourful characters. Really didn't do very well this time around.
If I hear one more person saying "I didn't vote, they are all the same" or "I've always voted xxxxx so I am doing today" I'll scream.