Local Election: Labour take 16 out of 20 seats

Date published: 03 May 2019

Thursday's local election resulted in a good night for the Labour party, as it won the Littleborough Lakeside seat from the Conservatives and retained its significant majority on Rochdale Borough Council.

Labour won 16 seats, Liberal Democrats one and the Conservatives three – see the full results at:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/elections/election-results/31

The Conservatives will be disappointed at the loss of the Littleborough Lakeside seat and Ann Stott, with Labour taking the seat with new councillor Tom Besford giving the ward a full complement of Labour councillors.

However, the Conservatives will be pleased at holding their other seats, including Bamford in the face of a major Labour effort, Norden and Wardle & West Littleborough wards. 

 

Rachel Massey and Elsie Wraighte, both Labour, have been voted in as new councillors in Spotland & Falinge and Kingsway, respectively, replacing retiring councillor Cecile Biant and former Labour councillor Lynne Brosnan.

 

 

Liberal Democrat leader Andy Kelly was thrilled at retaining his seat in Milnrow and Newhey, whilst the party came in second behind Labour in Central Rochdale, and Milkstone & Deeplish.

UKIP also did well, particularly in Heywood and Middleton, coming in above the Liberal Democrats, Greens and Conservatives in several wards, landing second place in Balderstone & Kirkholt, East Middleton, Hopwood Hall, North Heywood, North Middleton, Smallbridge & Firgrove, West Heywood and West Middleton.

The Greens also did quite well across the board, coming in second in Kingsway.

The new make-up of the council:

• Labour – 47
• Conservative - 9
• Liberal Democrats - 4

The largest turnouts were in Bamford (40.5%) and Central Rochdale (38.6%).

The lowest turnouts were recorded in West Middleton (21.0%) and West Heywood (21.9%).

Other wards with low turnouts were North Heywood (22.6%), North Middleton and Balderstone & Kirkholt (both 25.1%), Hopwood Hall (25.3%).

 

 

Cllr Mohammed Zaman, who was re-elected for Labour in Milkstone & Deeplish ward said: "I was worried because I didn’t have the chance to campaign [due to being Mayor] but I have stayed in touch with the community throughout the year."

New Labour councillor for Littleborough Lakeside, Tom Besford (before the result was announced in his ward) said: “It has been a low turnout everywhere; Labour held up well in Rochdale. It has been a funny election, so dominated by national politics with the Brexit shadow hanging over us.”

 

 

Phil Burke, Labour, who retained his West Middleton seat, said: “It is excellent news. It is really great to represent the people of West Middleton along with my fellow councillors and MP, who have all worked hard over the years, providing help and support and tackling issues. We have seen many improvements over the years and it will be nice to continue making improvements to our houses, roads and schools.

 

Sara Rowbotham, Labour, who retained her seat in North Middleton, said: “It has been really emotional with people on the doors and at the polling stations. They know who I am, who my family is, and it makes me feel like that’s what they voted for today. It is a level of validation and I understand people are worried about national politics, but I think they understood that there’s very little I can do about that.

“I am very grateful they have recognised me in this way and it shows we do have to pay attention to people’s concerns.”

 

 

Pat Sullivan, who retained her seat in Bamford and is entering her ninth year as a Conservative councillor, said: “I am very grateful for the electorate and the people who have helped me.”

Liz McInnes, the Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton, said: “There have been no real surprises tonight, except for Littleborough, which has been a fantastic result for us. Tom has run a very hard campaign and really worked hard at it.

“The worry for me is the low voter turnout. I think this reflects the uncertainty around politics at the moment. The rise of UKIP is worrying, but just reflects how left out people are feeling. The sooner we sort out Brexit, the sooner we can get back to dealing with local issues in everyone’s daily lives.”

 

 

Allen Brett, the Labour leader of the council, said: “We came defending 15 seats and ended up with 16, which is a great evening.”

 

 

Castleton councillor Jean Hornby, Labour, who first became a councillor in 1996, said: “I have had a fantastic team; they have been out everyday in the rain and still canvassing this evening until as late as could be.

“I am so pleased to have a team like that and representing those wonderful people in Castleton. I love being a councillor because it really is all about the people.”

 

 

Daniel Meredith, retaining his Labour seat in Balderstone and Kirkholt, said: “It is up to local councillors to deliver what they promise and represent to local politics. Otherwise, we end up in a spiral and people just don’t vote. I had my five promises – and now I have to deliver that and reconnect with the public because, right now, we are stuck in a rut. It is a tough choice where money goes and we need to say what our policies are and why people are voting for us.

“Politics is about education and delivering and empowering people to make decisions.”