ONE WORD dominated as Tameside’s political establishment was dealt a hammer blow by independent election candidates – complacency.
Kaleel Khan in St Peter’s ward and Steven Barton in Stalybridge North ended a combined 21 years in position as David McNally and Jan Jackson respectively were voted out.
Two others – Aaisha Ajmal in Ashton St Michael’s and Phil Fitzpatrick in Hyde Werneth – received more than 1,100 between them.
And this is likely to be the start of a movement as frustration over a perceived lack of action from sitting councillors and a purported resting on laurels by several figures sparked the reaction.
Cllr Khan, whose 1,596 votes saw off his experienced rival, who received 1,248, told The Correspondent: “It was about the community. My community has been let down by the Labour councillors.
“As a result, it needed a voice that was strong enough to challenge the party.
“Councillors became very much complacent. They stopped caring about us, they stopped talking to us and they only came for photo opportunities with other people’s work.
“St Peter’s ward is highly neglected. Every corner you go to, there is neglect – fly tipping, rat infestations, potholes, anything relating to cars and pavements – there isn’t much disabled access for those wanting to get on the pavement.
“People have just had enough.”
In Stalybridge North, the now Cllr Barton – a familiar figure in the town because of his involvement in several initiatives – received 1,170 votes to the now deposed councillor’s 1,054.
And while he insisted it was nothing personal, he can see why many voters – across the borough – can be frustrated.
He said: “A lot of councillors I speak to and see are active in their area, but certain ones are not.
“People are not stupid, are they? There are some good councillors in Tameside, but some do sit on their laurels a bit.
“They have for a while.”
Aaisha, aged 25, received an impressive 852 votes in St Michael’s – 289 behind the winner, Labour’s Jean Drennan.
It was enough to convince her that what she was doing was right and she will do it again at the next election in 2026.
She said: “My campaign absolutely highlighted complacency. My manifesto basically ripped theirs apart, saying, ‘They’ve said they’ll do this, have they actually done it?’
“Look at children’s services. Then largest proportion of our council tax is spent on them, yet we received an inadequate rating from Ofsted.
“It’s about accountability. The councillor in charge of them didn’t step down and that’s what I’m passionate about.
“I think, ‘You know what, they’re taking our vote for granted. They’re not listening to us.’”
The candidacy of former Labour councillor Phil Fitzpatrick in Hyde Werneth raised eyebrows, especially as his brother Jim was also standing.
But frustration at what he saw as community inaction, plus the party’s tolerance of alleged bullying brought him to stand.
He may only have received 320 votes as the sitting councillor lost his seat to Conservative Chris Halligan but there were no regrets – far from it.
He feels the independent voice needs to be heard in the corridors of power, especially as it will only get louder.
He said: “There’s number of Labour councillors who’ve been on Tameside Council for many years and just sit there doing absolutely nothing.
“Everybody knows they sit there and do absolutely nothing but they’re in safe seats.
“The only way forward is for people to stand as independents and make their voice heard.
“Four of us stood this time. I’m positive there’ll be more next time. I’ve already spoken to a couple of people who’ll be standing.
“Tameside needs to change; the council needs to change. The only way to change it is by independents standing and getting a bit of control.
“A proper voice for the people is what we need.”
Leader of Tameside Council, Cllr Gerald Cooney, lost three senior members in what opponents are describing as a ‘disastrous’ night.
But he contended claims of complacency, saying: “I’m not going to have a go at the electorate because they keep returning us because they think we’re the better party in Tameside.
“I don’t think it needs a kick up the backside. The public say, ‘Yes, we like what you’re doing.’
“We’ve got a lot of Levelling Up Fund bids going in. There’ll be major changes over the next 10 years.
“We’re sowing the seeds for fundamental change in Tameside and that’s important.”