Former ousted leader Arooj Shah has staged a political comeback to return to head up Oldham council after winning an internal Labour contest.
Ms Shah had previously served as leader after the defeat of Sean Fielding in May 2021, but was herself beaten in the election the following year in Chadderton South ward. In the all-out election this year in which all 60 seats went to the polls she stood in St Mary’s ward and won first place, guaranteeing her four years in office, with 2,743 votes.
She will take over the leadership from Amanda Chadderton, who was struck with the same curse of losing her seat following a year heading up the authority. However Labour narrowly retained a majority on Oldham council, with 32 seats.
