Labour councillors have been left ‘flabbergasted’ after a former colleague announced a surprise return to Rochdale’s political scene - as a Tory candidate. John Hartley wore the red rosette while representing Littleborough Lakeside for nine years - only standing down at last year’s local elections to take ‘a few years break’.
But he has shocked - and angered - his one-time allies by declaring he will stand as a Conservative in the ward in May, after just one year away. Furious over the move, they have accused him of trading his Labour principles and opting for the Tories as ‘they wouldn’t expect him to work as hard’.
However, the decision has delighted Coun John Taylor, leader of the Conservative group, who believes his experience will again make him a ‘real asset’ to the area. “John is known to some of us as “Mr. Littleborough” as a result of his relentless work helping the people across his former ward,” he said in a statement.
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“His reputation is well earned and he was universally respected across the council when he was previously elected. His ten years’ experience means he can hit the ground running as an effective elected member of the council from day one.
“He will put people above politics and focus his time on representing his ward without political directives forcing him to spend valuable time in other parts of the borough. That is exactly what I want him to do and more importantly I believe that is precisely what the people of Littleborough want, too.”
The row erupted after Mr Hartley sent an email to Labour council leader Neil Emmott, as well as Littleborough Lakeside councillors Tom Besford and Janet Emsley, confirming he had ‘decided to take the Conservatives up on their offer to stand for them rather than Labour’.
He goes on to explain that he had intended to take a few years break, after many years of juggling politics and a full time job.
However, Coun Taylor had assured him that ‘if I was to stand as a Conservative candidate, I didn’t need to play politics, if elected they would allow me to just do the job of representing the ward to the best of my abilities, no need for knocking on hundreds of doors all over the borough, so really for me it’s a no brainer’.
While he signs off wishing his former Labour colleagues ‘good look and all the best wishes for May’ - the feeling has not been returned. Coun Besford has hit out at his one-time ward ally in uncompromising fashion.
He said: “That John Hartley decided to apply to both Labour and the Tories to be a Councillor speaks volumes of his moral compass and his values. That he chose the Tories because they wouldn't require him to work as hard speaks volumes of his approach to representing Littleborough residents.
“That the Tories were content to boot out a sitting councillor who had already told people he intended to stand again speaks volumes about their respect for their colleagues.”
Coun John Blundell, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, and a fellow Pennines councillor also had harsh words. We in the Littleborough Labour Party were flabbergasted to hear the reason for John Hartley's change of political party is down to the local Conservative leader’s promise of having to do no campaign work or door knocking,” he said.
“We have always suspected the Littleborough Conservatives don’t do anything but it's still surprising to have it confirmed via email. It was equally surprising that John Hartley has traded his Labour values in order to avoid meeting the public, and that the Littleborough Conservatives advertise this as one of the key benefits of standing for them.”
The Conservatives deny that Coun Reed, whose term comes to an end in May, has been ousted by Mr Hartley, adding that he is ‘100pc supportive’ and ‘more than happy to hand over the reins’.
Mr Hartley also told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he did not apply to stand for the Conservatives - but was sounded out by Coun Taylor and Coun Reed about the possibility.
He added that he agreed to do so after being given ‘firm assurances’ he would ‘not need to be political’ and would be able to ‘cast my votes how I feel is best serves the community’.
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