What does it mean for Oldham residents if the council goes into No Overall Control?

On Thursday (May 2), voters all around England will be headed to polling stations to cast their ballot for a local councillor. In Oldham, one third of the local authority’s 60 council seats are up for grabs.

This year’s local elections could see a dramatic shift in Oldham politics. That’s because the Labour-run council is just one seat away from going into ‘No Overall Control’. But what does that actually mean for Oldham residents?

What is No Overall Control?

Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council is made up of 31 Labour councillors, ten Liberal Democrats, eight Conservatives, and 13 who are independent or part of hyperlocal independent groups.

Because Labour councillors make up more than half of the OMBC, they currently have an ‘Overall Majority’ giving them control of the council.

But if they lose more council seats than they gain on Thursday, the council would go into ‘No Overall Control’ - which is when no one party has more than half of the total number of seats.

There are 91 councils in England who are in ‘No Overall Control’ - around a third of local authorities in the country, so it’s not uncommon. But Oldham hasn’t seen one since 2011.

How likely is it that OMBC goes into No Overall Control this year?

Whether the council goes into No Overall Control entirely depends on how people vote.

Labour’s situation is the most precarious it has been for the last 13 years. It has the lowest number of councillors heading into an election since regaining control of the council in 2011.

If they lose just one seat in total on May 2, they would lose control of the council, though they would still be the biggest party in the chambers.

There are a number of wards where Labour council seats are being hotly contested by