Local Election 2014 - Live Commentary

4.05: Labour gain six seats so the new make-up of the council is as follows:

Labour – 48
Conservative - 11
Liberal Democrat - 1

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3.25am Results are being announced.

View them on our Election Special pages 

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/elections/election-results/21

 

3.10am Jim Taylor takes to the stage again to announce that the verification of the European election votes has been completed and accepted and that declaration of results in the local election will begin shortly.

3am The Labour party members watching the count in North Heywood think the seat has been held by Mayor Peter Rush.

2.55am Counting has finished in all Rochdale and Middleton wards.

It is understood there are 50 votes or less between first and second in Milnrow & Newhey.

2.45am It looks like Mayor Peter Rush will keep his seat in North Heywood. The count indicates Labour gains in Castleton and Balderstone.

2.40am It looks like a Labour gain in Littleborough Lakeside and a Conservative hold in Wardle & West Littleborough.

There is a recount in Milnrow & Newhey, between current Lib Dem leader Andy Kelly and Neil Butterworth, Labour.

2.25am Jim Taylor takes to the stage to inform the Hall that the count is completed in a couple of wards. We are just waiting for the results to be announced. The European votes that are being verified here by the regional returning officer need to be completed first.

2.20am Labour are clear leaders in East Middleton. Labour and UKIP are neck and neck in South Middleton and in West Heywood.

2.10am UKIP candidate Lee Seville is ahead in West Middleton.

2.05am Conservatives have a massive lead in Wardle & West Littleborough.

2am North Heywood is now being counted and some sheets are being re-checked in Central Rochdale. Lib Dem and Labour both strong in North Heywood.

Labour are well ahead in Kingsway and the count is being finalised in Littleborough Lakeside.

1.55am Spotland & Falinge looks to be between Surinder Biant, Labour and the Independent candidate, Carl Faulkner.

Some sheets are being re-counted in West Heywood.

1.50am Looks close between Labour and UKIP in West Middleton, very very close and the Conservatives are a close third.

Simon Danczuk said: "I think Labour certainly have some gains but I'm not complacent yet. I think UKIP have gained a number of votes and people have rebelled and voted for them. Also, we could see the Lib Dems out and that would be a first for around 10 years."

1.45am It looks close between Labour and UKIP in Balderstone & Kirkholt. All wards in Heywood, Middleton and Pennines are counting now.

1.40am Spotland & Falinge are moving towards the count. Labour taking the lead in Milkstone & Deeplish. Labour are also ahead in Hopwood Hall ward.

Lee Jason Saville, the UKIP candidate in West Middleton said: "It has been a very exciting day as it's the first time I've run in anything like this. It's going to be close in my ward between myself and Labour and I honestly believe we could be about to witness some history being made here tonight. UKIP are stealing votes everywhere and I'm so pleased with the feedback and responses from the public that I've received in the polling stations today".

1.30am Postal votes have been sorted and the counting has begun in Wardle & West Littleborough, Milnrow & Newhey, Littleborough Lakeside, Balderstone & Kirkholt, Milkstone & Deeplish, Smallbridge & Firgrove and East Middleton.

1.20am Jim Taylor takes to the stage again to announce that 1,500 postal votes have been received this year. These votes are now going to be verified and then the count can begin.

1.15am Counters in a number of wards are having a break. The Great Hall is quite subdued.

1.10am Conservative candidate Robert Clegg is standing again in Wardle & West Littleborough tonight and he said: "I have worked very hard but I can't watch the count. Everytime I look I see somebody else's name so I can't look. I think the turn out has been very mixed, especially in my ward and it is certainly running later than any other count.

12.55am Labour and the Lib Dems are close in Milnrow & Newhey. There is talk that tonight's count is going to be a late finish due to the increase in postal votes.

12.50am The Returning Officer Jim Taylor takes to the stage to announce that the postal votes are now being brought in and being mixed. There has been a significant amount of postal votes this year. The count should begin shortly in some wards.

12.45am Milkstone & Deeplish very close between Labour and UKIP. UKIP look to be ahead in West Middleton with Labour close second.

12.40am Ian Duckworth, Conservative standing for re-election in Bamford said: "I have won in my ward. I have come first, Labour second and Lib Dems third. I did expect it and I knew Labour would just pass the Lib Dems but I have had the majority from what I have seen so I am pleased. It has been a good night and I think I have the biggest majority tonight so I am pleased with that.

12.30am Surinder Biant, Labour candidate up for re-election in Spotland & Falinge said: "I think we have done well. I think we have won this one but I am certainly surprised at the reaction that UKIP has had. I think it was definitely between us and UKIP but I think we have won. The turnout today has been good."

Labour are falling behind in East Middleton.

12.10am James Conboy, Conservative candidate in Milnrow & Newhey said "To be honest I don't think I'm in with a chance this year, but I had a good turn out which I'm really pleased about. I feel like this year has been a real learning curve and I'm confident I'll get a good outcome next year.

12am Mike Holly, Conservative candidate in Norden said: "It is close between Conservatives and UKIP in Norden".

Labour and Conservative are strongest in North Middleton but UKIP aren't far behind. Labour are in the lead in Milnrow & Newhey.

East Middleton ward is between Labour and Conservatives.

11.50pm The counters are still hard at work sorting the voting slips.

11.30pm Bamford ward looks like it is between Conservative and Labour. UKIP are currently neck and neck with the Lib Dems in North Heywood and West Heywood wards.

Labour are ahead in Central Rochdale ward.

11.25pm Leon Hollinrake, Member of Youth Parliament for Rochdale, said: "It is a good experience to be here and to see what is going on. I have been promoting the election as much as I can and telling people to vote. I think it is important to vote and to get young people to vote because we are the future and the next generation".

11.10pm Heywood & Middleton MP Jim Dobbin said tonight that he is "interested to see what effect the UKIP situation will have on the local elections".

11.05pm Independent candidate Carl Faulkner (Spotland & Falinge ward) said: "It's been a good turn out at our polling station, I'm feeling quite good about the day. Our station was in a good central area for families and extended families so it was nice and busy. Apparently voting is 10% down which doesn't make any sense to me, it should be 90% up with the new postal voting everyone asked for."

Ballot boxes from all remaining wards are now at the Town Hall.

11.00pm Mark Hollinrake, Green Party candidate in Kingsway said: "Labour are going to take it and I knew that going in. I think they will increase their overall numbers in council as well. I think it is important to vote these days because I don't think a lot of people are doing."

10.55pm Ballot boxes from the Pennine wards are now arriving, Wardle & West Littleborough, Littleborough Lakeside and Milnrow & Newhey. Votes for Rochdale wards are still being emptied and sorted.

10.50pm Conservative leader Ashley Dearnley said: "In our area there has certainly been a good turn out and I have seen a positive reaction from wherever I have been. I am looking forward to a night of positive results." 

North Middleton & West Middleton ballot boxes are arriving at the count.

10.45pm Liberal Democrat leader Andy Kelly said: "It's been a long and hard day and a long and hard campaign. I envy the people counting for Milnrow & Newhey because it will be very close indeed. I need to thank my campaign staff for all of their hard work but it will certainly be close." 

10.40pm Boxes are in for all the Rochdale wards.

10.35pm Carol Wardle, who is standing again in Hopwood Hall ward said: "I'm extremely nervous, it's been a long day I've been doing everything I can." If re-elected Carol will be Mayor later this year.

10.25pm Central ward and Smallbridge & Firgrove ward ballot boxes are delivered to the count. The ballot papers are unfolded before being counted.

All five current Liberal Democrat councillors reach the end of their term this year. Only two are standing for re-election; leader Andy Kelly in Milnrow & Newhey and this year's Mayor Peter Rush in North Heywood.

Conservative councillor Michael Holly has switched wards and is standing this year in Norden instead of South Middleton where he has served for 4 years.

10.20pm Votes from Norden, Balderstone & Kirkholt and Castleton wards are being sorted ready for counting.

10.15pm Ballot boxes from Spotland & Falinge ward have arrived.

10.10pm The first ballot boxes arrive at the count from Milkstone & Deeplish ward.

 

The Great Hall, Committee rooms and bistro at Rochdale Town Hall are set up, with counters and staff ready and waiting for the polls to close.



Before today's election, Rochdale Borough Council was under Labour control. The make-up of the council was as follows:

Labour – 42
Conservative - 12
Liberal Democrat - 5
Independent - 1

A total of 20 seats on the council are available at this election.

The seats up for election:

Labour - 10
Liberal Democrat - 5
Conservative - 4
Independent - 1

 

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Local Election results 2012

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/elections/election-results/19