Dear Residents,

For those who may not know me, my name is Keeley O’Mara.

Full statement

I’m proud to announce that I am standing for the Middleton Independents Party, seeking re-election to represent you once again.

A little about me: I grew up in Boarshaw and attended school locally before following a family passion for agriculture by studying at Myerscough College.

Like many residents in Middleton, I initially had little interest in politics or council matters. That changed with the proposed development on the fields on Hollin Lane (Taylor Wimpey). The lack of support from councillors, despite over 1,000 objections, made me question the system. I realised that simply voicing concerns on social media wasn’t enough—I wanted to be where decisions were being made.

This led me to stand as an independent candidate in 2017. I came a strong second to Labour, which both surprised and encouraged me. It showed that Middleton residents were ready for change—but the right kind of change.

Following that election, I was approached by the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and UKIP. However, joining a national party didn’t feel right for me or align with my values. Instead, I chose to focus on serving our community directly.

I became involved in a number of local initiatives. I was part of the early development of Middleton in Bloom and attended its first meeting after raising ideas about improvements such as railway signage in Heywood. I remained involved for several years. During Covid, I supported Middleton in Action, helping deliver food parcels, prescriptions, and vital support. I also volunteer with Middleton Roundtable at events including MiddFest, Remembrance Sunday, and the Christmas lights switch-on.

The past two years have been incredibly challenging. I lost my dad in August 2024, which was devastating. The by-election was announced on the day of his funeral, and I wasn’t sure I had the strength to campaign. However, with the support of my party and local residents, I stood—and we won.

Since being elected, my priority has always been to put residents first and make meaningful improvements across the ward. In just 18 months, I’ve worked closely with council officers and achieved:
• Installation of non-verbal communication boards in all play areas
• New hedging on Whitegates Road
• Support to help SEN children return to school
• Improved disabled access on Cheapside
• A full consultation on the future of Boarshaw Cemetery, leading to its repair
• Ongoing support with everyday issues such as roads and bins

Alongside this work, our party experienced some disruption, including a leadership change. However, Cllr Beswick and I remained committed to working collaboratively and took a cross-party approach to deliver results.

This approach is already working in North Middleton, with exciting developments planned for Clough Road Park and Boarshaw Clough.

If I am re-elected, I won’t make unrealistic promises. I’ve learned that honest, achievable goals matter most. My priorities include:
• Introducing an Article 4 Direction in North Middleton, ensuring all HMOs go through proper planning processes
• Continuing improvements to Clough Road Park
• Making sure your voice is heard within the council
• Improving key junctions at:
• Townley Street / Oldham Road
• Hollin Lane / Rochdale Road
• Stanycliffe Lane / Rochdale Road

I remain committed to working hard, listening to residents, and delivering real results for our community.

On election day, I humbly ask for your vote so I can continue standing up for our community, supporting residents through the challenges we face, and working every day to make North Middleton a better place for us all. Your support truly means more than I can put into words.

Thank you for your continued support.