Labour’s candidate announces plan to take Heywood and Middleton from the Tories

Labour are determined to turn Heywood and Middleton from blue to red at the upcoming general election as they launch their campaign.

Councillor Elsie Blundell has been waiting in the wings for a while now to start her bid to become the next MP for Heywood and Middleton North. Today (23 May) that day finally came as she launched her campaign with an event on Darnhill. 

The seat is currently held by Conservative Chris Clarkson, who announced he would be standing down as MP at the next general election last year.

Elsie Blundell said: “I am proud to launch my campaign to be the next Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton North. As a resident of our borough, I know that our community deserves better than the past 14 years of Tory decline.

“Over the next few weeks, I will set out my plans to change Heywood and Middleton North, including by fixing our broken economy, ending the NHS crisis, making our communities safe for all, smashing the illegal smuggling gangs, creating opportunities for every child and expanding renewable energy production to protect our environment for future generations.

“Together we can change Heywood and Middleton North for the better.”

Currently Mrs Blundell is a council representative for the Balderstone and Kirkholt ward in Rochdale, and she has set out what would be her first steps if she won the seat:

• Fixing our broken economy, including by supporting Atom Valley and other schemes to bring jobs and investment to our area
• Cutting NHS waiting times and creating more appointments
• Working with police to tackle antisocial behaviour and return to neighbourhood policing
• Creating more opportunities for every child

Labour’s campaign to win Heywood and Middleton North will centre on Labour’s plan to deliver a decade of national renewal. In this area, full-time workers are significantly worse off than they were in 2010, there are fewer local PCSOs, and GP numbers have fallen dramatically, according to Labour.

Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, said: “This is a chance to change Heywood and Middleton North with Labour.

“Over the course of the last four years, we have changed the Labour Party and returned it once more to the service of working people. 

“All we ask now, humbly, is to do exactly the same for our country. 

“And return Britain to the service of working people. A vote for Labour is a vote for economic and political stability, an end to Conservative chaos, and a long-term plan to rebuild Britain.”

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter