Rabina Asghar
Liberal Democrat Party
Spotland & Falinge Ward
The result of most of the election contests in Rochdale can be predicted in advance, but that cannot be said for Spotland & Falinge. Here it's a close fight between Labour and the Liberal Democrats with no-one taking the result for granted.
This is my third attempt to become a councillor for the area in which I have lived all my life. I'm the Liberal Democrat challenger, aiming to win the seat from Labour, and judging from the reception I'm getting as I knock on doors I know that this year I have a good chance of winning.
It's really encouraging to be told by so many people, including former Conservative and Labour voters, "this time we're going to give you our backing."
I'm building on the work I have done over the past year in raising local issues, some of them important to people right across Rochdale.
The Turner Brothers Asbestos factory site is one of the most polluted locations in Britain. The present owners promised to be transparent and consult with local residents, but we have heard nothing from them in more than a year.
There is more pollution at Spotland Bridge, where sewage from storm sewers is being released into the River Spodden some 40 days a year, damaging the environment and preventing nature's recovery.
Meanwhile, Rochdale Council called last July for a report on whether it could take back control of the 'Seven Sisters', the College Bank flats, but we have still not seen this published.
I do not understand why the existing Labour councillors have not paid more attention to these issues. If asbestos contamination and sewage pollution do not count as serious matters then what does?
Many local residents are looking for a change. They wonder if the area's three Labour councillors will ever speak up in defiance of the Labour-run Council, or whether they will just do what they are told.
I attended Spotland Primary School and then Oulder Hill before studying business at Manchester Met University. Now I work for the NHS, so I understand the frustrations people have with our healthcare system. I continue to live in Spotland & Falinge ward, so I know and share the experiences of other residents.
My aim as a Liberal Democrat councillor will be to speak up for our area. Injecting a bit of competition into an election contest that Labour used to take for granted will make all the councillors work a but harder, and that should be good for everyone.
I hope residents will give me their vote, and the opportunity to shake things up.
Rabina Asghar
Liberal Democrat
Spotland & Falinge
