Labour retains hold on Rochdale Council

Date published: 05 May 2023

The 2023 local election has resulted in another good year for the Labour party as it retained its significant majority on Rochdale Borough Council and gained three seats.

The biggest changes in Rochdale this year are the election of Labour’s Terry Smith in East Middleton, Elizabeth Atewologun in North Middleton and Richard Jackson in Littleborough Lakeside.

Terry replaces Bernard Wynne, of the Middleton Independents, whilst Elizabeth replaces Lee Wolf, also of the Middleton Independents.

The Conservatives will no doubt be disappointed at losing Littleborough Lakeside to the Labour party, especially by such a narrow margin of seven votes.

Both Richard and Elizabeth are new councillors, whilst Terry Smith is a returning councillor having been elected in 2021, and then losing his East Middleton seat at the all-out election last year.

 

 

Council leader Neil Emmott retained his seat with a 649 majority, a result he was pleased with given last year’s closer result, whilst deputy Mayor Mike Holly also retained his Norden seat.

Councillor Emmott said he was concerned about last year's close vote between Labour and Middleton Independents (160 majority): "People have appreciated my hard work this year in my ward.

"I think MIP have slumped back this year, they’ve been really negative about everything from the regeneration of Middleton town centre, the Metrolink, and Warwick Mill. 

"I think people reacted last year because they were a shiny new party and people have realised they don’t have anything to offer Middleton.

"We brought a 2% council tax discount and we will be pushing for the same again next year because people will be struggling. We want to be able to do the same again."

The Liberal Democrats will be thrilled to have kept their seat in Milnrow & Newhey, whilst also making voter gains in Smallbridge & Firgrove and Spotland & Falinge.

Keeley O'Mara and another MIP member said they were disappointed with the low turnout in the Middleton wards, and cited voter apathy as potentially playing a role.

"People think voting isn't important or it won't matter one way," they said. "However, we're really proud of what we've achieved in 18 months, going up against well-established national parties. We're not done yet!"

 

 

Conservative leader John Taylor, re-elected for Wardle, Shore and West Littleborough, said: “I’m delighted; it is an honour and a privilege to represent our community.

“it’s about the way we hold the Labour council to account. To challenge them when it isn’t working but to work with them as we are all public servants, we must all do our best for everyone across the borough.

“It’s always tough, what I focus on is that I do everything I can for the community, it’s about how can I best support and be the best representative for my community.”

Terry Smith - who returns as a councillor for Middleton after being elected today - said: “It’s brilliant to be back and I’d like to thank every person who put their faith in East ward and give me the courage of their vote.

“I’d like to thank Dylan Williams for his tremendous time and effort put in and my wife, Sue [Smith, a fellow councillor]. Sue, I love you and you’re the strongest person I’ve known. Thank you for choosing me as your husband.”

 

 

Elizabeth Atewologun has been elected as Labour’s new councillor for North Middleton. She has stood for the Labour party twice previously and is excited about starting her new role as a councillor.

She said: “It feels really good to have been elected and I’m ready to start working with the community, start casework and make sure residents are happy.

“Work starts straight away! I’ve already got some casework and I’m looking forward to finding solutions to residents’ issues, scrutinising the council and making a change.”

Richard Jackson, new councillor for Littleborough Lakeside: “I feel great, absolutely fantastic and it’s great to get to help people in Littleborough.

“All campaigns are tough, I put the work in, I have a fantastic team around us and they helped us immensely, without them we wouldn’t be here.

“Traffic is an issue, the problem isn’t the volume but the fact it doesn’t flow, any minor problem causes chaos and so I will look at that.

“I will crack on with issues from potholes to crime and deliver on real change.”

 

 

The Lib Dems' Dave Bamford, re-elected for Milnrow and Newhey, said: “I’m just happy, it’s my third election, it’s great to be elected again.

“It was hard, but people have recognised the work we do year-round, you can’t come out for three weeks of the year and expect to win, it’s a 365-day marathon.

“A lot of people say they don’t see me so to be seen is a priority and start listening to what other people want to do to win more votes.”

Sitting councillors who have retained their seats also told Rochdale Online how thrilled they were.

 

 

Amna Mir, re-elected for Smallbridge and Firgrove, said: “I’m elated, absolutely made up, the work has paid off and the right person won.

“It was very tough, but Smallbridge ladies came out in droves, and that’s very good, they find it easy to approach a female councillor and I’m their target when they need help. I’m a mother and I know what they go through, and I never close a file until it’s resolved.

“We need to get the drug sellers off the street as they’re corrupting the youth very, very quickly. We need to take them out of that and send them a message this won’t be a profitable business anymore.”

Tricia Ayrton, re-elected for Healey, said: “I’m overwhelmed and extremely grateful to all in Healey.

“I’ve been a councillor in Healey for a year, it’s been a really good year, I’ve made relationships with people in this ward, and I’m pleased they have put their trust in me.”

“We have a lot of problems with offroad motorbikes as we are on the moors and they’re on our greenspace, we are working with local police and bordering wards to resolve that and co-operation with residents will help solve it.

“One of the best things about Labour councillors is our good relationships with residents so when issues then come up, they talk to us and so things don’t grow out of proportion.”

 

 

Amber Nisa, re-elected for Spotland and Falinge, said: “I feel overwhelmed as a single mum who also works, I work very hard for this, I’m an advocate of women’s rights so I’ve done it to show women we can do anything, we all face barriers, but I’ve worked very hard to get this.

“I’ve worked all year to get elected, I’m out all the time, working in the community as a volunteer. I was going to win, I’m not complacent, that’s what life has taught me, and I’ll fight to get my residents what I think is right.

“The seven sisters are an issue, RBH want to demolish them, so I want to work with them to stop that happening and have more social housing.”

Aiza Rashid, re-elected for Milkstone & Deeplish, said: “I’m so happy, I was quite nervous as I’m a nervous person but felt better as the count went on.

“I have a strong team with me, and my parents and friends have been a huge support, the team made it for me.

“There are a few small issues in the area which develop into bigger ones, crime – anti-social behaviour, fly tipping as well as housing. We also need to invest more in neighbourhood policing which is one of our aims.”

Rachel Massey, re-elected in Kingsway said: "Thank you to everyone who voted for me and supported me in this election. I am truly honoured to have been re-elected and given the opportunity to continue to serve the people of Kingsway.

"I will work tirelessly to make the difference to our community and look forward to helping children and families across the Borough achieve their potential and thrive."

The new make-up of the council is as follows:

• Labour – 46
• Conservative – 9
• Middleton Independents Party – 2
• Liberal Democrat – 3

This year's turnout for the local election was 30.5%, down from last year’s 34.6% (all seats last year were contested). 

The last comparable local election in 2019 saw a turnout of 29.51%, the lowest figure in a decade.

The full list of results can be viewed at:

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/elections/election-results/38