Labour Party selects by-election candidate

Philip Fitzpatrick is the Labour Party candidate for the Hyde Newton by-election.

Philip – whose father Joe Fitzpatrick was a Labour councillor in the ward for 25 years – has spent most of his life living and working in Newton.

Educated at St Paul's RC Primary School and Hyde Grammar School, he is currently a governor at Oakfield School.

And as a qualified electrician, Philip has worked for a number of employers, including James North, where he was one of the team of shop stewards.

Now Philip, who is father of two grown-up children, hopes that as an elected councillor he would be able to help support the town that he says has influenced every decision he has ever made.

Commenting on his selection, Philip, aged 56, said: “I am both honoured and delighted to have been selected by Newton Labour Party to stand as their candidate.

“Having been raised in Newton and also having worked and lived here for most of my adult life I know Newton very well. In fact, I know Newton as only a local can.

"If elected I pledge to work hard for local people and to make sure that Newton gets a fair share from Tameside Council.”

Tributes to Cllr Margaret Oldham

The death of Labour councillor Margaret Oldham prompted tributes from across the authority.

Cllr Oldham, who was executive member for co-ordination services for Tameside Council, had represented the Hyde Newton ward since 1995.

She was a popular and hard-working member of the Newton community. And her role as executive member for co-ordination meant she was responsible for some of the authority's largest and most complicated areas of work.

It was under Margaret's guidance that the Council became the first in the country to have a fully interactive website. She was instrumental in setting up the Tameside Older People's Partnership. And in the area of community safety, through her contribution, Tameside has seen one of the largest reductions in crime across the Greater Manchester region.

Just days before her death she was working alongside Secretary of State for Work and Pensions James Purnell, who is MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, to launch the DWP's 'Tell Us Once' initiative.

Margaret's funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners, led by her husband Cllr Roy Oldham, who is leader of Tameside Council.

Paying tribute to his wife, Cllr Roy Oldham said: "I have lost a very dear wife and friend and Tameside has lost a most exc ellent politician.

"She had absolute commitment and passion for the area and the people of Tameside. She has been a great support to me over the years and both my son, John, and I are devastated by her loss, but comforted by the legacy that she has left."

James Purnell MP said: “Margaret was an active councillor who was well-liked by those who worked with her and respected by those in the ward she represented.
“Her determination to fight for those in the Hyde Newton ward was unstinting. And she will be sorely missed by all those who worked alongside her."

Cllr Peter Robinson, who represents the ward of Hyde Newton, points to the refurbishment of the Rosemount Estate and the new library facilities as some of Margaret's successes in the ward.

But in addition he says Margaret supported many individuals who turned to her for assistance.

"Margaret and I worked very closely together as ward councillors," said Cllr Robinson. "So many people turned to her for help."