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

The Guardian UK Monday 01 June 2026, 05:00 UTC By Chris Osuh Community affairs correspondent 1 min read

Key Points

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.

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.

Oldham (LOCATION) Exclusive (PERSON) England (LOCATION) Arooj Shah (PERSON) Greater Manchester (LOCATION)

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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

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