The Mancunian Way: 'Stupid and inaccurate'

Exactly one month today, Britain could be waking up to a new Prime Minister. We’re just four weeks out from polling day, and for those on the campaign trail, debate is hotting up.

It got particularly heated in Oldham yesterday after new Reform UK leader Nigel Farage claimed there were ‘streets in Oldham where no one speaks English’.

The controversial comments, made by the man standing for election in Clacton, have left MPs in the borough reeling. Labour MP Jim McMahon suggested the Reform UK leader was trying to ‘stoke division’ but that he ‘wouldn’t succeed’.

Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today show, Mr Farage told presenter Mishal Husain that there were places in the UK that had ‘become literally unrecognisable’ as a result of 'immigrants who don’t speak English’ or ‘integrate into the community’.

In response, Labour council leader Arooj Shah said: “Oldham is a town where people support each other, where community is at our heart, and we aren't defined by his politics of hate.

"The comments by Nigel Farage about Oldham are as stupid and inaccurate as they are offensive. In Oldham we are trying to fight back against 14 years of government cuts to public services, and the cost of living crisis like so many parts of the north.

“We have a strong sense of community, great businesses and a shared determination and pride amongst our residents. We will carry on trying to improve things as a council and as a community and will leave these divisive, ignorant political comments to others.”

She isn’t the only one who has made her anger known following Farage’s remarks.

In a statement shared with the LDRS, local councillor and Oldham Group member Kamran Ghafoor described the comments as 'damaging'. He added: “I would like to invite