TAMESIDE’S Labour group is ravaged by infighting and differences, according to the party’s own report.
Concerns over ‘deep factional divides,’ a reluctance to tackle issues and a ‘poor culture of campaigning’ have been raised.
It also tells how its local government committee (LGC) ‘failed to carry out a proper selection process across the authority for a number of years.’
And it believes some members may be more focused on getting one over a colleague rather than the wider aims.
The withering assessments come in an update from the Labour Party’s Campaign Improvement Board (CIB), which has been brought in to manage Tameside, seen by The Correspondent.
It comes amid the furore surrounding a WhatsApp group, whose statements saw Denton MP Andrew Gwynne sacked from his role as a health minister and former Audenshaw councillor, now MP for Burnley, Oliver Ryan suspended.
Locally, Denton South trio Cllrs Claire Reid, George Newton and Jack Naylor have stood down from their executive roles after an investigation was launched.
This document, however, looks at the bigger picture – not least the infighting that is plaguing the council.
A report written by Labour’s head of regional governance and local government north, Andy Smith highlights: “A lack of acceptance by elements of the Labour Group of the problems facing Tameside Council.
“No commitment from a number of Labour Group members to tackle the issues. Deep factional divides within the Labour Group.
“A poor culture of campaigning. An LGC which has failed to carry out a proper selection process across the authority for a number of years.
“The absence of new candidates coming forward to be considered as Labour candidates.
“The danger of a factional fight erupting in the Labour Group/LGC rather than the Group/ Party concentrating on the improvements the Council and Labour Party need to implement.”
It also tells of: “A small number of Councillors have attempted to impede progress.
“While this has made little difference to overall running of the group. Approximately four councillors will be called in for a whips’ interview.
“There has also been a reluctance to hand over details of the group’s finances.”
The CIB – made up of Shaun Davis MP, Wirral Council deputy leader Angela Davis and former deputy leader of Liverpool Council, Wendy Simons – was brought following the resignation of former Tameside Council leader Cllr Gerald Cooney, deputy Cllr Bill Fairfoull, the majority of the authority’s cabinet and chief executive Sandra Stewart.
And the documents confirms it is likely to remain in place for at least two years, maybe longer.
That means current leader, Cllr Eleanor Wills, will stay as ‘there will be no election for
the position of Leader, Deputy Leader or Chief Whip in all probability for the next two years (this time period may well be extended and this will be determined by the CIB).’
After saying ‘the LGC should not meet until further notice’ It will also implement a Tameside Campaign Team, likely to be composed of Labour Group members, a constituency Labour Party (CLP) member and a representative from each of the MPs’ offices.
That will take charge of things like making sure the political messaging for the campaign is correct and organising it.
And anyone standing in the next local elections in 2026 will be interviewed before being approved for a panel of candidates, from which the one who stands will be selected – even if they are currently in position.
The document continues “Councillors who are up in 2026 will be contacted shortly to be asked if they will to restand.
“The Interview will look at sitting Councillors campaigning and community work, alongside a whips’ report.
“It is expected that all Councillors who have an active campaigning record and work in their respective communities would be placed on to the panel of candidates.
“We will need to actively encourage members to apply to be on the panel of candidates to ensure we have the highest calibre of candidates to contest the May 2026 elections.”
Despite the concerns raised, the report says there has been progress in changing Tameside’s Labour Group.
It adds: “In the main there has been either active support or acceptance of the need to change by the majority of the Labour Group.”