Simon Danczuk selected as Rochdale Labour Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate

Simon Danczuk Rochdale Labour Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate

Simon Danczuk has been selected as Rochdale Labour Party’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate. Mr Danczuk,  who is 40 years old and married with two children, George aged 9 and Marymartha aged 4, was the clear winner - from eight candidates - with support nearly double that of his nearest rival. All Rochdale Labour Party members were balloted by post and turnout was high at 78%.

Tom Stott, Secretary of Rochdale Labour Party, said: “I am pleased we have had a fully democratic selection process, with all Party members given a full opportunity to take part. The voter turnout has been very high and Simon has received a very strong endorsement from the membership”.

Mr Danczuk said: “I’m delighted to have been selected to fight Rochdale for Labour at the next General Election and I’d like to place on record my appreciation to all Rochdale Labour Party members for taking part in the process, and providing me with such strong support”.

Mr Danczuk continued: “The Liberal Democrats are failing the people of Rochdale both in Parliament and on the Council – they are failing to represent the borough effectively, they are neglecting the area and this needs to change”.

Janet Anderson Member of Parliament from the neighbouring Pennine seat of Rossendale said: “I am absolutely delighted Simon has been selected, this is a key seat for Labour to take back and I have no doubt that Simon is the best person for the job”.

Biography

Simon Danczuk  has been active in the Labour movement for over 20 years, having held the following positions:

• Campaign manager for Janet Anderson MP for Rossendale and Darwen during the 2005 General Election – helping retain the seat for Labour with a 3,500 majority.
• Campaign strategist for Labour during the 2006 Local Elections – helping Labour retain marginal seats in the North West.
• Councillor on Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council from the age of 27, for eight years, having responsibility for economic development and then education.
• Has sat on North West Labour’s Regional Board (the Party’s governing body for the region) for 13 years, one of its longest serving members.
• Was Constituency Secretary for Rossendale and Darwen Labour Party from 1991 to 1994, when Janet Anderson took the seat for Labour for the first time in 1992, from David Trippier.
• Has been a member of the GMB trade union for nearly 20 years, active with campaigning and recruitment drives during this time.

He has been a social and political researcher for the last 14 years, after studying sociology as a mature student at Lancaster University.  He previously worked as The Big Issue in the North’s (Manchester based homeless charity) research coordinator, but in 1999 co-founded Vision Twentyone – a consultation and public involvement agency based in Manchester.  Vision Twentyone carries out social and political research for the not-for-profit sector, including councils, trade unions, Government Departments, and regeneration bodies.

Simon Danczuk can be contacted at simon.danczuk@visiontwentyone.co.uk, or on 0161 200 8000