EXCLUSIVE
ONE OF Tameside’s most powerful councillors is to step back from his frontline role as leader, Cllr Brenda Warrington, faces a leadership challenge.
As The Correspondent revealed yesterday, Cllr Ged Cooney will mount a bid to take the top job after securing enough support among the ruling Labour group.
Now we can disclose Cllr Oliver Ryan, the man currently executive member for finance and economic growth – seen as one of the most important roles on the authority – is not seeking to keep it after the forthcoming elections.
In a letter seen by this paper, the member for Audenshaw who is regarded as one of Cllr Warrington’s closest allies, says ‘personal matters’ are behind his decision.
In it, he states: “I am not seeking to be returned to the executive cabinet after May and wish to instead focus on personal matters after a few years of service.
“I have been a councillor for eight years and seen our job get harder and harder. Our job is not an easy one and is so often misunderstood. We have always been open to robust and honest debate as a Labour group and have taken decisions together at a critical crossroads for Tameside.
“I believe we are at one of those today.”
Such a crossroads sees Cllr Warrington face a challenge for his leadership after her now infamous ‘bulldozer’ comments at February’s meeting of the full council.
One source told The Correspondent there has been discontent among Tameside’s ruling Labour group for some time.
But the bulldozer comment is being regarded by many as the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Cllr Warrington said: “Godley Green, I make no mistake, I will be on that first bulldozer and that is a promise.
“I will be on that bulldozer that actually starts to dig up ready to build houses on Godley Green and believe me it will be rammed down your throat.
“It really will.”
Sources say the language used was insensitive, especially given the current public feeling towards the Godley Green development, which would see 2.150 homes built in Hyde.
And it is understood the required number of sitting councillors, 26, have indicated their support for Cllr Cooney, current executive member for housing, planning and employment.
Neither councillor is up for election this year but privately, a number of candidates this year admit the comments have not helped as opponents, particularly the Conservatives, look to make gains.
Cllr Ryan’s move has not been universally welcomed, with one Labour source saying: “The behaviour of quite a few councillors this week has been disgraceful and duplicitous.”
But in his letter, he admits a change is needed, despite describing Cllr Warrington as a ‘giant,’ adding: “Brenda is a close personal friend of mine and has acted a leader with dignity, verve, sincerity and with the utmost commitment.
“She is a giant who has served this borough well but at times of crossroads, we must look to the future.
“I have thought long and hard about this decision and I do believe it’s time for change in Tameside.
“I believe you are offering that change, you have my support in your leadership bid.”
After receiving a copy of the letter, The Correspondent approached Cllr Ryan for comment but he declined.
Maybe it would be more beneficial to the people of Tameside if we handed him his marching orders! CAZ and GREENBELT culpability and thinks he only has to put his name down to get elected! It`s people like him that are supposed to represent the Working Class whilst stabbing them in the back that have destroyed my faith in a once great Party!
Pretty much agree with you; although any lingering faith that I might still have had in the Labour Party died when a while ago I read The Francis Report into the Mid Staffs cover ups, (for which no one has ever been held to account,) which were a complete and utter disgrace and notwithstanding that one of principle actors in that story, (“First and and foremost this is a story of the appalling suffering of patients,”) is now as Mayor of Manchester driving those very policies that you so object to.
It’s not a pretty sight.
Didn’t think much could surprise me in local politics but this has. This is what makes Labour loyalist despair up until a couple of days ago, I understood that Oliver was going to be Brenda’s campaign manager, why has he suddenly changed his mind? Has someone put pressure on him?
I know both Brenda and Ged well having worked with both for many years and I would have hoped this contest could have taken place in a comradely manner obviously that’s not the case.
Rumour has it he is going for an MP position in Burnley so needs to give that his full attention. If true his election in Audenshaw is just plan B to keep the door open if he fails in Burnley, think his constituents should know this.
It is time for a change in Tameside. Labour have consistently wasted money and do exactly what THEY want and not what their constituents wanted.
Result money spent on the council offices that cost far more than advised and still not adequate. Wasted money on silly parking schemes destroying the traders business and destroyed the market. Ashton now has received a damming report as not fit for purpose. They have left the other towns to rot. They want to destroy the Greenbelt, with its health benefits and wildlife by building EXECUTIVE houses. Why? We need the Greenspaces as proven by COVID and the environmental initiatives. What happened to low cost housing? How can our children get on the housing market? What happened to them being for the working classes?
Time for change and perhaps it is time for Bulldozer Brenda to stand down and Councillor Ryan to go.
If Councillor Ryan is running for MP in Burnley, I pray for them.
I’m sure Brenda is a her and not a him?
Mistakes like this show the level of intelligence of the writer.