Councillors battle it out to become Labour MP candidate for key ‘red wall’ constituency

Date published: 16 February 2023

They may be political allies but three Greater Manchester councillors are set to lock horns in a battle to contest a key ‘red wall’ constituency at the next general election.

Rochdale councillors Elsie Blundell, Iram Faisal and Liam O’Rourke have all made the Labour longlist for Heywood and Middleton, together with Councillor Azhar Ali, leader of Lancashire County Council’s Labour group.

The seat is currently held by Chris Clarkson who became the constituency’s first ever Conservative MP as the Tories romped to a landslide victory in 2019.

By the time the next general election is called it is likely to have been renamed ‘Heywood’ – with South and East Middleton wards hived off to a new ‘Manchester Blackley’ constituency and Spotland & Falinge ward moving over from Rochdale under a boundary shakeup.
 

Read more: Middleton’s name still stands to be wiped off parliamentary map under revised constituency shake-upPublished: 09 November 2022

But with Labour now consistently polling ahead of the Conservatives, the party will still no doubt still see the area as a key election battleground.

Below the four hopefuls set out why they want to fly the flag for Labour when the nation next goes to the polls. The Conservatives have also been given right of reply.

 

Councillor Elsie Blundell

Councillor Blundell represents Balderstone and Kirkholt on Rochdale council and is assistant to the portfolio holder for equalities, safety and reform.

She said: “I love Heywood and Middleton. I moved to this borough almost a decade ago, after I met the love of my life. The people here share my values, and that’s why I chose to stay.

“Throughout the time that I’ve lived here, I’ve seen the damage of relentless ideological Tory austerity.

“For too long our economy, our public services and our communities have suffered from the sticking plaster politics that has epitomised this Conservative government. I want to change that for Heywood and Middleton by overturning Chris Clarkson’s majority.”

Councillor Blundell says part of her plan is to ‘fight for the investment our public services need, build the good quality social housing our people deserve and ensure that our young people are not overlooked when it comes to opportunities’.

“I will empower our community, change our economy, deliver investment, support businesses and campaign to make our towns greener. This constituency has so much history and potential, and I believe that with a Labour MP, and a Labour government, our best days are yet to come. “

Councillor Blundell says residents can email her at elsiejaneblundell@gmail.com and are also welcome to find her on Facebook or Twitter.

 

Councillor Liam O’Rourke

Councillor O’Rourke represents North Heywood on Rochdale council and is the portfolio holder for climate change and environment.

“I’ve lived in this constituency my entire life and I’ve been a councillor here for 11 years,” said Councillor O’Rourke.

“I was elected to the Heywood North ward at the age of 19 and served in the cabinet as portfolio holder for climate change and the environment, alongside my full-time job as an economics teacher.

“I’ve seen the damage that 12 years of Tory and Lib Dem government has done to my community, from austerity to the recent levelling-up bid farce.”

Councillor O’Rourke says he can see that the kids he teaches don’t have the opportunities he had, thanks to the abolition of the education maintenance allowance (EMA) and cuts to education funding.

“I can see that social housing is not of acceptable quality – as can the whole country, due to the awful death of Awaab Ishak in Rochdale Boroughwide Housing,” he adds. “My council surgeries are full of people struggling.

“To repair the damage to communities like ours we need a Labour MP standing up to the Tories – or better still, a Labour MP bringing the voice of Heywood and Middleton to Parliament as part of the next party of government. If I’m selected, that’s how I want to give back to the community that has given me so much.”

 

Councillor Iram Faisal

Councillor Faisal represents Spotland and Falinge and has lived in the Heywood and Middleton constituency for 22 years.

She says her bid to stand as Labour’s MP is based ‘solidly’ on her record.

“I won in the Spotland and Falinge ward with a big majority at the 2022 all out elections,” added Councillor Faisal.

“Under the new boundary changes, Spotland is coming into this constituency, which will further strengthen our lead over the Tories.”

Councillor Faisal adds that she is ‘proud’ of her achievements as a councillor.

“I have a solid record of taking an interest and having the energy, organisational skills, and persistence to make sure things get done to make lives better for the people I represent,” said Councillor Faisal.

“I believe my efforts have helped make a lasting difference to the lives of people in and around this area. And it is with growing courage – sparked by despair at the way the Conservatives have squandered any potential to improve things – that I want to defend and campaign for the people of this constituency.

Councillor Faisal says her positive attitude motivates her to improve the world ‘by inspiring social action and justice’.

“This is why it is fundamental that we back the nurses and defend our NHS in the fight against a careless Tory establishment,” she said.

 

Azhar Ali OBE

Councillor Ali represents Nelson East on Lancashire County Council and is leader of its Labour group.

He said: “I put myself forward to be the next MP because I have the experience and skills to help secure a better deal from the government and Metro Mayor for our proud townships of Heywood and Middleton,” he said.

“My experiences – including my time as leader of the council, chair of an NHS Trust and serving as a senior government advisor – would enable me to not only effectively represent everyone but also fight for real inward investment to create well paid jobs and to improve connectivity including metro links in Heywood and Middleton.

“It’s clear knocking on doors that it’s time for change and people are desperate for a strong voice in Parliament and someone who will put local people first and deliver on their pledges.

“My pledges include :

• Well paid jobs for local people and wealth creation through strategic investment
• Improved connectivity both in terms of metro links and broadband
• More investment in our NHS to cut waiting times
• Working with local councillors to secure investment for regenerating our towns

“Heywood and Middleton deserves a strong Labour voice in Parliament and I know I can be a strong voice in Parliament for Heywood and Middleton.”

 

What the Conservative Party says

A spokesperson for the Conservatives has defended the party’s record in power.

They said: “There’s no denying that these are difficult times, with Britain’s economy shocked by Coronavirus and then impacted by Putin’s war in Ukraine.

“However, since we were elected in 2019, the Conservatives have got the big calls right – emerging from the pandemic with the fastest growing economy, a record number of employees on payroll, and providing billions of pounds worth of cost-of-living support for British families.

“On health, we know that the NHS faces challenges owing to the pandemic and the worst flu season for over a decade, which is why we are focused on tackling waiting lists, raising funding, and hiring a record number of doctors and nurses.

“Education is also a priority. Currently just half of 16-19-year-olds study maths. We are making numeracy a central objective, so will work with the sector to move towards all children studying some form of maths to 18.

“Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Government are focused on five immediate priorities, to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut NHS waiting lists and tackle illegal immigration.

“The Labour Party has no plan to deliver on the priorities of the British people – offering the same old plans: unfunded spending, higher debt, and uncontrolled migration.”

 

Liberal Democrats were contacted for comment.

 

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporting Service