Shaw and Crompton elects youngest ever councillor

Just over a month ago on Thursday 4 May, Liberal Democrat Tom Penketh made history by becoming the first 18 year old to be elected onto Shaw & Crompton Parish Council in West ward where he lives with his mum and dad, as well as younger sister, and the youngest person to be elected in Oldham.

He got the highest number of votes on the day out of all the candidates elected to the Parish Council with 812.

Tom is a pupil at Crompton House Sixth Form where he is currently sitting his A Levels for Politics, Geography and Medical Science as well as being on the Student Management Team helping to organise events to raise vital funds for much loved and used charities in the local area.

Cllr Penketh became a Liberal Democrat at the age of 17 and has become more and more active over the past 12 months; getting stuck in with everything.

“I feel absolutely over the moon to be elected as a Parish Councillor for Crompton West. I helped campaign 12 months ago for the borough seats in Crompton and Shaw, both of which we retained and this year I was campaigning to get myself elected, as well as the borough candidates and it paid off, we all got in. Going out, door knocking, phone canvassing and posting our Focus gives me the chance to speak to residents and listen to their concerns and what they want to see improved. I want to say a huge thank you to the people of Crompton West who have put their trust and faith in me to represent them and deliver on my promises over the next 4 years. Residents should know that their issues and concerns will be worked through, with my Borough colleagues, whilst I am elected. Thank you”, said Tom. 

The Crompton Councillors, Louie Hamblett, Dave Murphy and Diane Williamson as well as the Oldham Liberal Democrat team have taken him under their wing and mentored him over the past 12 months.

“We have tried to ease him into campaigning over the past year, but he joined at the right time seeing how the all-outs work” said Cllr Diane Williamson.

Cllr Louie Hamblett said “We’ve delivered and campaigned together over the past year, especially during this election period and it has been fantastic to see how enthusiastic Tom has been and how keen he is to get involved”.

“He’s absolutely brilliant on the telephones - not frightened to ask questions, gets stuck in” added Cllr Dave Murphy.

Tom Penketh said “This is just the first steppingstone in my career. I hope to gain experience over the next few years in order to progress up to a Borough Council seat and hopefully one day be your MP. You never know, I could end up in No.10!  My main priority is to deliver on my promises and work for the residents of Crompton not just Crompton West over the next four years. I’m buzzing!”.