Candidates for the local elections on 5 May published

Date published: 08 April 2016


The list of candidates for the local elections on 5 May have been published.

There are 84 candidates contesting 20 seats.

  • Conservative 20
  • Labour 20 
  • UKIP 15 
  • Liberal Democrat 14 
  • Green 12 
  • Independent 2 
  • Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts 1

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/elections/candidates/26

Council leader Richard Farnell is seeking to defend the Balderstone and Kirkholt seat he won in 2012, his opposition includes former Lib Dem councillor, Liz Thirsk.

A further 11 current Labour councillors are seeking to remain on the council, in all but one case in their current wards. Allen Brett, currently a councillor in Milnrow and Newhey, is this time contesting the Milkstone and Deeplish ward, with Duncan Hannant seeking to retain Milnrow and Newhey for Labour.

Leader of the local Conservatives, Ashley Dearnley is seeking to retain the Wardle and West Littleborough seat he has held for the past 34 years. Another long serving councillor with over 30 years on the council, Jim Gartside, is seeking to be elected again in Norden. Councillor Gartside's wife Jane is standing down after 33 years and her Bamford seat is being contested by Jane Howard for the Conservatives.

UKIP says it is confident of winning seats for the first time on Rochdale Council and contests 15 of the 20 seats available. Amongst the UKIP candidates is UKIP Rochdale/Heywood & Middleton branch chairman Lee Seville, who is standing in West Heywood, and vice chairman David Winder, who contests North Middleton.

The Lib Dems have rolled out a number of former councillors as candidates, including former Mayor of Rochdale Keith Swift, as they seek to rebuild following their almost complete wipe out at local level over the past few years. Former leader of the council Irene Davidson is looking to take back the seat in Milnrow and Newhey that she lost in 2012.

The Green party contests 12 seats, with two of the 'Rochdale Seven', who were expelled from the Labour party in 2009, standing - Mark Hollinrake contests Kingsway and Mick Coats contests Spotland and Falinge.

One of the two independents standing is Carl Faulkner, in Spotland and Falinge. Mr Faulkner has contested the seat a number of times and once again seeks to become the first independent in Rochdale to be elected.

David Fenwick-Finn stands as the sole Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts candidate - seeking election in Central Rochdale ward.

Rochdale Online has invited all candidates to submit their election 'pitch' and explain to readers why they believe you should vote for them on 5 May.

A list of candidates and the pitches submitted to date can be viewed at:

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/elections/candidates/26

Do you have a story for us?

Let us know by emailing news@rochdaleonline.co.uk
All contact will be treated in confidence.


To contact the Rochdale Online news desk, email news@rochdaleonline.co.uk or visit our news submission page.

To get the latest news on your desktop or mobile, follow Rochdale Online on Twitter and Facebook.


While you are here...

...we have a small favour to ask; would you support Rochdale Online and join other residents making a contribution, from just £3 per month?

Rochdale Online offers completely independent local journalism with free access. If you enjoy the independent news and other free services we offer (event listings and free community websites for example), please consider supporting us financially and help Rochdale Online to continue to provide local engaging content for years to come. Thank you.

Support Rochdale Online