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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Chris Osuh Community affairs correspondent

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

Arooj Shah in a navy blazer stands between two weathered stone lion statues in a garden
Arooj Shah: ‘The politics in Oldham are toxic – because there’s a Muslim council leader and some people don’t accept that.’ Photograph: Joel Goodman/The Guardian

“Identity politics is tearing communities apart”, the former leader of Oldham council has warned, in the week marking the 25th anniversary of race riots across the north of England.

Arooj Shah quit as leader of the Greater Manchester borough earlier in May, after the local elections left the council with no group in overall control.

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