Middleton Township councillors blasted for turning public concern into online mudslinging

A inflammatory worded Facebook post from Middleton Township Chair Cllr June West and Vice Chair Cllr Peter Williams has sparked political backlash and raised questions about professionalism, transparency, and tone in local Labour party communications.

The post, published on the Middleton Labour Facebook page, accused Bernard Wynne, a former Middleton Independents Party (MIP) councillor who lost his seat to Labour, of “deliberately peddling misinformation” regarding the prolonged closure of Middleton’s cremator.

Rather than addressing the issue via council channels, the statement criticised Wynne for raising his concerns on the Mike Sweeney radio show, where he questioned Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. The post went on to mock Wynne and MIP members as “keyboard warriors” spreading “doom and gloom,” while asserting that urgent cremator repairs had been confirmed, with a full replacement scheduled for 2027.

The statement also included new proposals to expand the chapel to accommodate 100 mourners and extend the external canopy, details which had not previously been shared publicly.

In the interest of fairness, Roch Valley Radio, contacted Cllrs West and Williams ahead of publication to offer them an opportunity to clarify their comments and respond to public concern. Our right of reply included the following questions:

• Tone and language: Do you stand by the use of terms such as “miserable MiPs” and “keyboard warrior doom and gloom”? Was this language approved by your local party, and do you consider it appropriate for a public-facing statement signed off in your official roles?

• Personal comments about Bernard Wynne: What evidence supports the claim that Mr Wynne “deliberately” spread misinformation? Was this statement reviewed by a party communications team or council officer?

• Use of official titles: The statement was signed off using your Township roles, was this intended as an official Township communication or a party-political one?

• Factual references: Can you provide documentation or minutes supporting the claims regarding repair funding, capital allocation for 2027, and the chapel extension?

Despite these clear and reasonable requests, no response was received from either councillor or the local Labour group by the requested deadline. Their only public communication on the issue remains the original Facebook post.

In a statement to Roch Valley Radio, Bernard Wynne said:

“My intention has never been to spread misinformation. My sole aim was to raise a valid concern during a radio programme as a member of the public. The cremator has now been out of action for over five months, and this has caused real emotional distress to grieving families forced to travel to Rochdale for cremations.”

Wynne welcomed the newly announced proposals for chapel improvements but criticised the lack of transparency around the decision-making process, noting that neither he nor his MIP colleagues were informed of the meeting where these plans were discussed.

“Middleton deserves better. I believe the councillors owe the community an apology—not just for the statement’s tone, but for failing to respond to fair and important questions about the cremator’s future.”

Middleton Township has faced criticism in the past over limited opportunities for public engagement. Some residents have previously expressed concern over Cllr West’s tone and dismissive responses when chairing meetings, leaving members of the public feeling unheard in their community and whether the Middleton Township Committee members and Chair roles should be reviewed.

The decision to issue an inflammatory statement on social media, rather than engage in constructive public dialogue has led some residents to question whether their elected representatives are focused on community needs or political point-scoring by Middleton Labour.

This article will be updated should any official response be received from Cllrs West or Williams.