Local council elections are taking place across Greater Manchester (and elsewhere) on 4 May – including Rochdale.
Here’s your guide to what you need to know.
What election is taking place in Rochdale?
Voters can choose who will represent their local ward and become a councillor for the Rochdale Borough Council.
Twenty of the borough’s 60 seats are currently being contested. Those elected will serve a four-year term in office.
There are 72 councillors standing across all the wards, with the Conservatives and Labour contesting every ward.
Fifteen Liberal Democrats, 9 Greens, 5 Middleton Independents, and one Freedom Alliance candidate will also be hoping to win a seat at the polls.
Who can vote in the elections?
The deadline for voter registration has now passed. To vote in the local elections, you must be:
- registered to vote
- 18 or over
- Not legally excluded from voting
- A British, Irish, EU, or a qualifying Commonwealth citizen.
Don’t forget, you must bring photo ID with you to the polling station to vote.
If something happens on the day that means you can’t vote in person, you can apply for an emergency proxy vote here. The deadline is 5pm on the polling day.
Who is standing for election in Rochdale?
One notable candidate up for election is the current leader of the council, Neil Emmott (Labour – West Middleton), who last year won out against the Middleton Independents by a narrow 160 votes.
But the most contentious race comes as Peter Reed (Conservative – Littleborough Lakeside) steps down – hoping to be replaced by former Labour councillor turned Conservative, John Hartley.
A selection of the councillors who are currently up for re-election include:
- Stephen Anstee (Conservative – Bamford)
- Aasim Rashid (Labour – Castleton)
- Dave Bamford (Liberal Democrat – Milnrow and Newhey)
- John Taylor (Conservative – Wardle, Shore, and West Littleborough)
- Sameena Zaheer (Labour and Co-operative – Central Rochdale)
What does the outgoing council look like in Rochdale?
Rochdale Borough Council is currently made up of 43 Labour, 10 Conservative, four Middleton Independent, and three Liberal Democrat councillors.
Labour controls nearly three-quarters of the council, which gives its local leader the position of council leader.
Nationally, outlets such as the BBC and YouGov have predicted significant Labour gains and Conservative losses.
In Rochdale, however, the Middleton Independents Party will be looking to grow or consolidate their hold in the four Middleton wards.
What are the issues being debated in Rochdale?
Beyond the issues of planning, gentrification, and the new town centre masterplan, the biggest issue in Rochdale seems to be distrust – of both politicians and processes.
There have been two defections across party lines – one from Labour to the Conservatives, and another from the Middleton Independents to Labour – seemingly within one year.
Meanwhile, attempts to increase social housing have sparked debate, particularly around a field known as the Ponderosa.
When and where can I vote?
Polling stations will be open on Thursday 4 May from 7am to 10pm.
You can find your polling station’s address and ward candidates by entering the your postcode here.
When will the results be announced?
The full results should be available by the evening of Friday 5 May.
Image credit: ‘Rochdale Town Hall’ – Tim Green via Flickr
