Billy Howarth, founder of Parents Against Grooming UK, to run for Rochdale MP in forthcoming by-election

The co-founder of Parents Against Grooming UK, William ‘Billy’ Howarth, is planning to stand as an independent candidate in the forthcoming by-election to become the Member of Parliament for Rochdale.

Following the death of the Rochdale MP, Sir Tony Lloyd, on 17 January, a by-election for the Rochdale seat will be held this year with a general election to follow by January 2025.

A date for the by-election has not been set as yet.

Billy has started a crowdfunding appeal to secure the £500 deposit needed to register as a candidate.

He said: “After 30 years of child abuse cover-ups, two-tiered leadership accompanied by failures to protect the town’s constituents I have decided that this town needs to be independently represented.

“I am Rochdale born and bred and have the needs of Rochdale close to my heart.

“I am a survivor of CSA myself and this abuse issue in the town is close to my heart. If I can stop anyone going through what I did, I will give everything.

“I’m not just a one-trick pony: I’ll address the council cuts to higher levels.”

He continued: “I will also be working with people over the concerns of mould and damp in houses, including that of RBH, killing people. Social care is at an all-time mess. There are so many issues I want to go at.

“The other thing that stands out is the housing crisis. It used to be you could grow up and live on the same estate as your parents and then your kids do the same. It created a sense of community that's now gone. Unless you're able to buy, you have to live at the other end of town. I want to restore community togetherness.

“If I am elected, I will be taking Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing to court, as well as Greater Manchester Police and the Home Office.”

He added: “I’m just a dad – and a grandfather and big brother – who wants my kids to be able to grow up safely. I want to have a town they can be proud of.

“I truly believe I can make the changes that this town wants and deserves.

“Please help to raise this money then we can start a change in this town which is well overdue.”

PAGUK was set up in 2012 after the founders had direct dealings with, or knew, parents whose children had been involved with grooming, or had been approached. It now has a permanent hub on Yorkshire Street with many volunteers who run support groups for survivors of sexual abuse.
 

Read more: Here’s how this group of volunteers are fighting against grooming and child sexual exploitationPublished: 24 April 2019

Donations to support Billy can be made via GoFundMe:

• www.gofundme.com/f/billy-howarth-to-be-elected-as-mp-of-rochdale