Councillors set up new party - 'Rochdale First'

Councillor Shefali Ahmed and Councillor Farooq Ahmed

Councillors Shefali Ahmed and Farooq Ahmed have set up a new party, Rochdale First.

Both councillors resigned from the Labour Party last week and initially intended to serve as independent councillors but say they are responding to "public demand' in setting up the new party.

They stressed that their aim is to put the people of the borough first, hence the party name, and hope to take 'national' politics out of the local council.

Councillor Farooq Ahmed said: "By setting up a party we will have better access to council committees and be better able to challenge policies and decisions we don't believe are in the interests of the people of Rochdale."

Councillor Shefali Ahmed added: "We have had a lot of support from the community and want to continue doing our best to represent them without the restrictions imposed by mainstream party politics.

"There has been a lot of interest in people joining our new 'Rochdale' party and we welcome members of the community who would like to make a difference to our town."

The councillors say that there has also been interest from other councillors in opting out of "back-biting party politics". Councillor Farooq Ahmed said: "There has been interest and we will talk to any councillor who wants to take the politics out of representing the people of the borough and join our alternative."

It is understood that any councillor can set up a new group providing there at least two councillors in the group.

Councillor Shefali Ahmed is the leader of Rochdale First.