By-election date confirmed as list of candidates vying to be Rochdale’s next MP grows

The next MP for Rochdale will be decided on 29 February after the notice of election was officially confirmed by the council.

This means that locals have four weeks to decide which candidate they want to represent them in Parliament. The election was triggered following the death of Sir Tony Lloyd earlier this month.

The 73-year-old Labour MP, who held several political posts in Greater Manchester over the last 45 years, had previously revealed he was suffering from an ‘aggressive and untreatable form of leukaemia’.

The writ was issued for the election on Monday 29 January which means that it must take place between 21 and 27 working days from that date. The deadline for candidates to confirm if they are standing is on Friday 2 February – with the list to be published later that day.

Lancashire County Council’s Labour leader Azhar Ali will stand as the new candidate for Labour, it was confirmed at the weekend.
 

Read more: Azhar Ali chosen as Labour candidate for Rochdale seat in upcoming by-electionPublished: 27 January 2024

The former Labour and Respect Party MP George Galloway, leader of Workers Party of Great Britain has announced his intention to stand. The Reverend Mark Coleman, a long-time climate campaigner and Just Stop Oil supporter, has also put his hat in the ring alongside fellow independent Billy Howarth, the founder of Parents Against Grooming UK.
 

Read more: Rochdale by-election: George Galloway to stand for Workers Party of Britain to ‘teach Labour a lesson’Published: 29 January 2024
Twice jailed Just Stop Oil supporter Mark Coleman to stand in parliamentary by-electionPublished: 30 January 2024
Billy Howarth, founder of Parents Against Grooming UK, to run for Rochdale MP in forthcoming by-electionPublished: 25 January 2024

Guy Otten is also believed to be standing under the bracket of the Green Party.

The Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives are yet to confirm their candidates for the election.

Nominations for candidates seeking to stand in the poll are now open, ahead of a closing deadline of 4pm on Friday 2 February.

Steve Rumbelow, returning officer and chief executive of Rochdale Borough Council said: “I will be asking all candidates to ensure this campaign is conducted with dignity and respect. Political debate and freedom of speech is vital but our residents rightly expect that people standing for public office show a sense of responsibility and tolerance for other points of view.

“It is a short campaign and will no doubt be intense and competitive, but parties and their workers should conduct themselves with respect for the place, its people and each other. With less than a month to go, I also urge people to make sure they have everything they need to be able to vote. Have your say and use your vote.”

Annual notification letters have been sent to all households this week showing details of who is registered to vote at your address, so check the details on your letter and if there are changes to report, just follow the instructions on your letter.

Key dates/deadlines for voters to be aware of:

• Tuesday 13 February: Applications to register to vote deadline at midnight
• Wednesday 14 February: Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes and amendments or cancellations of proxy votes must be submitted before 5pm
• Wednesday 21 February: Applications for a Voter Authority Certificate or Anonymous Elector’s Document as well as new applications to vote by proxy must be submitted before 5pm
• Thursday 29 February: Applications to vote by emergency proxy must be submitted before 5pm

These applications can be made online via the Rochdale Council web site or reach the Electoral Registration Office by the specified deadline. The address listed on the council website is: Electoral Registration Officer, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale, OL16 1XU.

For enquiries or applications contact the elections team on 0300 303 0345 or email elections@rochdale.gov.uk.

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter