Jane Howard chosen as Conservative candidate for Rochdale

Councillor Jane Howard

Councillor Jane Howard has been chosen as the Conservative candidate for Rochdale in the forthcoming general election.

A resident of Bamford, Councillor Howard attended Bamford Primary School, is a governor at St Michael’s School and an active member of St Michael’s Church. She graduated from Durham University and currently works at Salford University in communications.

She was elected a councillor for Bamford at the May 2016 local elections.

Councillor Howard said: "I am extremely delighted and proud to have been selected as the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Rochdale.

"I've lived in Rochdale all my life. I grew up here, went to school here, made lifelong friends here, learned to skate at Roller City, camped out at Hollingworth Lake, got my first Saturday job at 16 in the library, worked as a barmaid at the Cemetery pub and since then my career in communications has taken me all over the borough in both the public and private sectors.

"I got married here 23 years ago, raised my two girls here, go to church here, shop here, go out for family meals here and walk my dog at weekends in our beautiful green spaces which I will fight to protect. Since May 2016, I've been proud to also serve as councillor for Bamford ward doing my very best to make a difference for local people.

"I love this town - it's my home - and I would be honoured to act as an ambassador for Rochdale in Westminster. We've got such a lot going for us, the town is on the up, we've plenty of hard-working and entrepreneurial spirit and it's important that we have a Conservative MP who will be a strong influential voice in Parliament to make sure that Rochdale gets the best deal possible from Brexit.

"We need someone local, accessible and who gets things done. Someone with pride in our borough, who makes sure people see exactly what Rochdale has to offer and what a great place it is to live, work and visit. I would be honoured to be that person if Rochdale residents entrust me with their vote on the 8 June.

"Rochdale needs change. Rochdale deserves better."