The Mancunian Way: 'Stupid and inaccurate'

Hello,

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 Nigel Farage to visit Oldham. I will personally show him around to prove his claims are unfounded.

“The idea that there are streets in Oldham where no one speaks English simply isn’t true. Our town is a shining example of successful multiculturalism, where integration and mutual respect are a part of everyday life." You can read the full story here.

Elsewhere, the two main party leaders faced off in their first TV debate yesterday evening. The pair clashed on issues of immigration, cost of living, and the NHS. You can read more about that here.

Goodbye Gail Platt

After 50 years of playing Gail Platt, Coronation Street icon Helen Worth will quit the soap, she has announced.

The 73-year-old will mark her golden anniversary on the cobbles next month - but has confirmed that it will be her last.

Corrie bosses say Helen will start filming her exit story next month and the emotional scenes will be on screen at the end of the year. You can read more here.

‘I'm scared to love, scared to laugh’

When Shameem Younis was contacted on Facebook by Steven Halliday, it was the beginning of the worst three years of her life 'mentally, physically and emotionally'.

Everything started well. He was 'funny' and without her asking for anything he showered her with Gucci, and Versace clothes, bags, and sunglasses.

He took Shameem on eight holidays in one year - including Bangkok and the Canary Islands. But there was a dark side that soon brutally emerged and culminated in him breaking her nose.

Now, Halliday, of Goats Shore, Oldham, has been jailed for 20 months for engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship. A judge also imposed a ten-year restraining order prohibiting him from contacting his former partner.

You can read more about her horrifying story here.

A tale of two towns

Voters in the Tameside constituency of Stalybridge and Hyde had their say yesterday as the Manchester Evening News spoke to them about the upcoming election.

The area is ‘staunch Labour’ as described by one man, and has been represented by Jonathan Reynolds since 2010.

But although the two towns may share an MP, their views couldn’t have been more different. Those we stopped and spoke to in Stalybridge generally said they were happy with Mr Reynolds, even if they weren’t usually Labour voters.

But in Hyde, every single voter we spoke to seemed disillusioned with the system. Most said they wouldn’t be voting at all. You can read more here.

Word of mouth

The owners of a popular Manchester takeaway said they are ‘absolutely buzzing’ after Nicki Minaj personally requested food from them whilst in the city.

The star’s team reached out to Caribbean street food eatery Jerk Junction to ask them to supply food for the rapper and her crew during her two dates at Co-op Live.

Mel Wynter, Jerk Junction’s Head of Operations, said Nicki’s team reached out after receiving a personal recommendation from, of all people, legendary American rapper Nas.

“It’s all just stemmed from word of mouth, really,” Mel told the Manchester Evening News. “Last summer when Nas was doing Parklife, his team got in touch with us to make some food for them. Everybody’s quite connected so when Nicki’s team were coming over, they hit up Nas’ team for recommendations and then got in touch with us.”

Amazing stuff - you can read more here.

Weather etc

Thursday: Heavy showers changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime. 16C.

Trains: Possible disruption on Northern at Manchester Piccadilly due to industrial action between Saturday 1st of June and Saturday 27th of July.

Manchester headlines

• Manhunt: Officers have issued an urgent appeal to track down a wanted man in Manchester. A manhunt is underway to find Kieran Maloney. More here.

• Court: Three teenagers have appeared in court to deny murdering Prince Walker-Ayeni. Prince, 17, died after being stabbed on Raby Street in Moss Side in April. More here.

• Tributes: Tributes have been paid to a beloved firefighter following his sudden death. More here.

Worth a read

“I was saying ‘wake up, it’s baby day’. Tom didn’t respond, so I went over to the couch to give him a kiss. He was lying in his usual sleeping position. When I touched him, he was cold and stiff. He wouldn’t wake up.”

Mum Rebecca Moss fought tears as she described the horrifying moment she found her husband unresponsive on the sofa — the morning she was to give birth to their daughter, Harper. Now, an inquest into Tom Gibson’s death found three different doctors misinterpreted a crucial heart examination. You can read the full story here.