Arooj Shah

Oldham’s former council leader has issued a stark warning that identity politics is driving communities apart, as one of Britain’s most diverse towns remains trapped in political deadlock weeks after bruising local elections.

Arooj Shah says the forces reshaping local politics are fuelling division, anger and mistrust at a time when towns like Oldham need stability. Her intervention comes as the borough struggles to form a new administration following Labour losses to both Reform UK and pro-Gaza independent candidates.

Election Fallout Leaves Town Hall Paralysed

More than three weeks after voters went to the polls, Oldham remains without a settled governing arrangement. No party holds overall control, and negotiations over leadership continue.

The stalemate has heightened concerns that fragmented local politics could become a national trend. With voters increasingly abandoning traditional parties, councils across the country could face similar instability.

A Town Scarred by Division Faces New Pressures

The warning carries particular weight in Oldham. The town was at the centre of the 2001 northern riots, which exposed deep social and racial tensions and triggered years of community cohesion work.

Shah argues those gains are now under strain. She says online misinformation, polarised campaigning and grievance-driven politics are reopening old wounds and creating new ones.

Abuse, Threats and a Toxic Climate

Shah also described facing severe racist and misogynistic abuse during her time in office. She linked much of the hostility to false claims surrounding the town’s grooming gang scandal, despite an independent review finding no evidence of a council cover-up.

The threats have had real-world consequences. Shah’s car was set on fire in 2021, while security measures now accompany her public appearances.

Migration and Gaza Become Political Battlegrounds

Shah accused both Reform UK and local pro-Gaza independents of mobilising voters through grievance politics. She argues competing narratives around immigration and the Middle East are increasingly dominating local debate.

Her critics reject that characterisation. Opposition groups insist they are responding to genuine public concerns and accuse Labour of failing to address issues that matter to residents.

Crunch Decision Looms

The political impasse now heads towards a crucial meeting later this month. With major regeneration projects and investment plans hanging in the balance, the stakes extend far beyond party politics.

For Oldham, the question is no longer just who runs the council. It is whether a town that spent decades rebuilding trust can prevent fresh divisions from taking hold.

Toxic identity politics 'tearing' us apart, says former Oldham council leader

First question would be can any of the new councilors speak English or be identified without robes🤔

Neo-racism: "All white people bad/all white people are racists." Then in 20 or 30 years when whites are a clear minority, it will still be "white people bad" and they will be a highly oppressed minority as anti-white discrimination will be called "pay-back for the sins of your fathers" Which is another reason I have no desire to live in the West. Everyone is a freaking victim and "victims" need to be treated with kid-gloves. You people who live there can deal with it. I'll take Southeast Asia or Asia in general any day of the week thank you very much!

Edited June 1Jun 1 by connda

23 minutes ago, connda said:

Neo-racism: "All white people bad/all white people are racists." Then in 20 or 30 years when whites are a clear minority, it will still be "white people bad" and they will be a highly oppressed minority as anti-white discrimination will be called "pay-back for the sins of your fathers" Which is another reason I have no desire to live in the West. Everyone is a freaking victim and "victims" need to be treated with kid-gloves. You people who live there can deal with it. I'll take Southeast Asia or Asia in general any day of the week thank you very much!

Reads a lot like ‘victim’ mongering to me.