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

Politics The Guardian By Chris Osuh Community affairs correspondent 01 Jun 2026 05:00 1 min read

Exclusive: 25 years after race riots in north of England, Arooj Shah says extremist groups and lies about grooming scandal are poisoning Oldham “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. Continue reading...

Exclusive: 25 years after race riots in north of England, Arooj Shah says extremist groups and lies about grooming scandal are poisoning Oldham

“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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