Voters in Rochdale could set the borough on a new political course next week when the polls open for the first ‘all out’ council elections in nearly 20 years. Labour currently dominates at the town hall, holding 44 of its 60 seats, while the Tories are the second largest group with 11 elected members.
The Lib Dems have four councillors and there is one independent - Kath Nickson - who is not standing for re-election this time round. The borough is made up of 20 wards, each represented by three councillors who normally serve four year terms before standing down or seeking re-election.
All that could be turned on its head on Thursday though, as changes to ward boundaries mean every seat is up for grabs instead of the usual third. It's the borough's first 'all out' council election since 2004 - and whether Rochdalians will opt for a radical change of political direction or stick with the tried and tested remains to be seen.
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But there are undoubtedly some intriguing factors at play that could spring a surprise or two at the ballot box. Labour will naturally be worried that the Clean Air Zone controversy could hurt their chances, despite the scheme being put on hold and Mayor Andy Burnham assuring voters any new proposal would be ‘non-charging’.
Controversy raged after CAZ signs went up after Christmas - although a similar outcry over the ‘Places for Everyone’ development plan did little to harm Labour last year. The group emerged from the 2021 elections with a net gain of one extra councillor. However, opponents - particularly the Conservatives - are sure to look to capitalise on a 3.6pc council tax rise which came into force earlier this month.
The Tories had proposed a blanket freeze of the general element of council tax while Labour opted to target extra financial support at the poorest. But there will be similar concerns for the Conservatives, who will be nervously waiting to see if voters punish them for the ‘partygate’ scandal and the growing cost of living crisis.
The strength of the Conservative ‘brand’ will certainly be put to the test in Hopwood Hall, where Jacqui Beswick and Alan McCarthy - last elected as Labour councillors in West Heywood - will be vying for votes. However, it’s not just councillors Beswick and McCarthy who are switching seats at these elections. Labour has a whole new slate in Milkstone and Deeplish, with former leader Coun Allen Brett popping up in Milnrow and Newhey, while Sameena Zaheer will stand in Central.
Five other Labour councillors are also standing in wards other than those they have represented over the last 12 months or longer. Thorny issues for Labour locally and the Tories nationally could leave the door open for the Lib Dems, who are fielding more candidates than the Conservatives this time round.
These include former mayor Coun Mohammed Zaman who is standing for the party in Milkstone and Deeplish, following his defection from Labour last month. The Lib Dems also have high hopes for Rabina Asghar in Spotland and Falinge, after she ran Labour’s Coun Iram Faisal close last year.
North Heywood is shaping up as another key Lib/Lab battleground and set for a straight shootout between the two groups. Each is fielding three candidates, with no other party involved in the contest. Rochdale Tories realise that the national picture is not in their favour at the present moment, but remain reasonably confident ahead of polling day.
They also expect to do well in Littleborough Lakeside and believe gains could be made in Castleton or the Heywood and Middleton wards. While fielding fewer candidates than the Lib Dems, the party says it is ‘targeting its efforts’ to increase the chance of success where Conservatives are standing.
Meanwhile newcomers Middleton Independents Party (MIP) are a real unknown quantity at this year’s elections - having only officially registered with the Electoral Commission last month. They hyperlocal outfit are fielding three candidates in all five Middleton wards, including Hopwood Hall, which straddles the boundary with Heywood.
In West Middleton this will see the fledgling party taking on council leader Neil Emmott, in a real David versus Goliath clash. Also looking to make an impact are The Green Party, which claims to be ‘the only boroughwide party offering more radical policies and local solutions’.
The Greens are fielding 10 candidates this time round, including two in both Wardle, Shore and West Littleborough and Spotland and Falinge. There are also some familiar faces making a return, with former Labour councillors Neil Butterworth and Alan Godson standing in North Middleton - albeit the latter as a Green Party candidate this time.
Elsewhere Laura Grabowska is standing for the Freedom Alliance - born of the anti-lockdown movement - in Balderstone and Kirkholt.
Polling stations open on Thursday, May 5 from 7am until 10pm. The election count and declaration of results will take place on Friday, May 6.
More information on this year's Rochdale council local elections can be found here: More information can be found here.
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