Simon Danczuk - an outspoken man who wins elections!

Photo: Journeaux

Simon Danczuk

Simon Danczuk is an outspoken man, a characteristic that has not always gone down well within the Labour party, but Mr Danczuk wins elections even when Labour loses - he did so in 2010, against all the odds, and at this election he won with a record majority. He is therefore evidently doing right in the eyes of the local electorate.

Love him or hate him, and he does appear to inspire both emotions, he has proved himself to be a hard working, approachable MP who is not afraid to tackle difficult issues, even when it costs him favour within his own party - traits that go down very well with voters.

His campaign to get the truth about Cyril Smith's appalling abuse of children taken seriously raised his profile nationally and brought him great credit; true others revealed that truth decades earlier but Mr Danczuk made it stick, he got the victim's accounts taken seriously for the first time.

He has been similarly resolute in his determination to shine a light on the seedy gangs who groom children for sex, not afraid to challenge those who turned a blind eye to the abuse.

However, whilst Mr Danczuk garners the public credit, including for his much-vaunted book about Cyril Smith, which was shortlisted for Political Book of the Year, privately it is acknowledged that credit is also due to his political aide, Matt Baker.

It is Mr Baker who in fact researched and authored the Smith book and Mr Baker who has been the strategist behind Mr Danczuk's successful election campaigns. Mr Danczuk would be wise to ensure he retains Mr Baker's services, they make a formidable political team.

So what now for the ambitious Mr Danczuk? His political views, particulary on welfare and immigration, and his courting of the right wing press have not endeared him to all in the Labour party, and mavericks like Mr Danczuk do not win the friends in high places needed to win party leadership campaigns, so no chance of leading his party, but what of a shadow cabinet place? That will very much depend on who does win the Labour party leadership campaign but like him or not, the future leader would be wise to consider harnessing Mr Danczuk's talent for winning elections if Labour is to recover the ability to win over the electorate that the results of the last two general elections show it has lost.

Mr Danczuk may of course not covet a cabinet place for with it comes collective responsibility and the need to toe the party line. He may well prefer to continue to culture his maverick role from the backbenches.

Whatever his ambitions on the national stage, Mr Danczuk is first and foremost a representative of the people of Rochdale and we need him fighting in our corner to change the current negative perception of Rochdale, not just nationally but also locally. More and better jobs in the town, improved manufacturing, support for businesses to develop and an improved town centre are some of Mr Danczuk's declared priorities. He now needs to show the people of Rochdale their trust in him was wise, get to work on those priorities and make good on his promises.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/95657/a-landslide-with-a-record-majority-for-simon-danczuk