For Arooj Shah, taking on the leadership of Oldham council feels like a historic moment.
This Wednesday (May 19) she will be officially confirmed as the borough’s new leader, a first not just for Oldham but for the whole north of England.
Being a Muslim woman of Pakistani heritage in politics hasn’t been easy, and while Cllr Shah has been taking strides in her political career, her friendship with a criminal associate of Dale Cregan has also prompted an ongoing backlash against the Labour councillor.
She has been childhood friends with Mohammed Imran Ali, or ‘Irish Immy’, since the age of 11.
Arooj Shah: New leader promises to deliver on her clear vision for Oldham Date published: 14 May 2021
Arooj Shah will be confirmed as the Council Leader on May 19
New Oldham Council Leader Arooj Shah has re-affirmed her determination to deliver on her recent local election pledge to clean up the Borough.
It’s now only a matter of days before Chadderton South Councillor Shah has her official appointment confirmed next Wednesday, May 19, as he takes over from ousted former leader Sean Fielding, who lost his Failsworth West ward seat to the Failsworth Independent Party.
A hectic new role awaits the former Deputy Leader of the Borough, but further outlining he aspirations for the town in an exclusive Chronicle interview this week, Cllr Shah said: “At the election, the Labour Party created a really clear vision for Oldham, regarding making it cleaner, greener, safer and revitalising the town centre.