The wave of discontent towards major parties looks to remain in Heywood and Middleton

Date published: 20 June 2024

People in a ‘red wall’ seat that voted Tory for the first time ever in 2019 still feel forgotten, now they want a local champion.

Although political disillusionment is rife in Heywood and Middleton, the answer to this is simple – listen to the people. Walking through the main high street in Middleton town centre, everyone you bump into has something similar to say when it comes to politics: ‘they do nothing for us’.

The ‘they’ in question are politicians who are elected to represent the people, and the next general election is just weeks away.

Market stall holder Ken Burrows told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I’ve not got time for any of them. They give you all the promises in the world but they do nothing when they get in power.”

He went on to use the example of an overhanging tree behind his home, suggesting if that can’t be sorted out by local authorities, then what do you expect similar politicians to be able to achieve. He believes the lack of ability to make effective change starts from the top and trickles down.

Brian and Margery Thomson added that ‘nothing changes no matter who is in power’. The couple have lived in Langley for 40 years and claim they’ve seen the area go downhill.

“People are disillusioned, it’s a forgotten place,” Brian admitted. “We want some proper shops again. We’ve got nothing here.

“A Labour government would be no different (if they got in). We need something new.

“We want to see the wealth shared equally. These politicians are all from the same mould, no matter which party they serve.”

Although the voter turnout was lower than the national average at the last general election in 2019, the people of Heywood and Middleton are not afraid to make bold choices. They were one of the famed ‘red wall’ seats that turned Conservative for the first time five years ago by electing Chris Clarkson.

The composition of the constituency has altered slightly with the boundary changes last year. It’s now called Heywood and Middleton North, with some of South Middleton joining the newly created Blackley and Middleton South constituency.

Despite a host of locals sharing their discontent for national politics, there were some in Middleton who believe some of the main topics on the agenda are hugely relevant for their area. Now Nigel Farage has entered the fray for Reform UK, immigration has been thrust further into the spotlight in the build up to 4 July.

 

 

Paul Ojus, a Labour voter, believes the former UKIP leader has stirred up more anger towards immigrants – even those who have come to work legally.

“I want to see more people to be allowed to come from other countries and work,” he added. “If you have a working visa, legal ones should be allowed.

“There is negative spin on this. People like Nigel Farage have made the conversation more aggressive.”

Paul went on to say that boosting the economy is another key priority parties should be looking at.

 

 

Vicente Abuhadba feels devolution would be great for the area, so they can have more autonomy over where money gets spent in their area. 

Devolution has been a big talking point amongst political parties, with Greater Manchester Combined Authority signing another devolution deal last year – giving them more say over how government funding and powers are decided in the region. 

Vicente feels this would be ideal because it could help local towns get the boost they need. 

“Cultural events, more from music and arts is what we need here. We need more focus on towns. We need more devolution.

“I think that smaller towns can have more say in what they need. We shouldn’t have to go to Manchester to get things.”

Vicente moved to the area from Chile last year, where he said city centres being major powers had not worked. He said the majority of the population live in the nation’s capital, Santiago, because that is where you get the best jobs, best healthcare, the best of everything.

He fears this is what the UK is going towards and believes devolution is the best solution to stop that happening.

 

 

Over in Heywood, there is a clear demand for a local MP, many people we spoke to felt this was the best way to get the best for their area.

When asked what people thought of their current Conservative MP Chris Clarkson standing in the safe Tory seat of Stratford-on-Avon after choosing not to stand in their constituency again, many scoffed or looked unsurprised.

The lunchtime hustle and bustle at KL Butchers has just passed, so award winning businessman Karl Leach takes time to talk politics and Chris Clarkson.

 

 

“I met Chris Clarkson when I won that award last year,” pointing at the English business awards certificate for ‘best butchers’ 2023. “We want someone who knows the people and what we want.

“A local candidate would do well in the area for people who don’t feel listened to. It boils down to what people want, and people want to be listened to.

“These big manifestos don’t matter to Heywood. It won’t happen here.”

Karl used the example of the recent Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) proposals in the area which include new signal-controlled pedestrian and cycle crossings, a bus and cyclist-only section of road and a new car park. He said no-one felt listened to over that, so why would anyone in the national government be any different – unless they were from the area.

When asked what the area really needs, the butcher said: “You want the business rates down and make the town centre vibrant for people to come around. People will shop where they want, if they don’t choose to come here they won’t.

“There needs to be an incentive for them to come here. People want to see different types of shops, but want other people to do it.”

These feelings were clear when you walked down Market Street with Sheila Slater and Rose Bradshaw deep in conversation about how things have become run down. Rose points towards the civic centre saying ‘it’s such a shame’, claiming that the public building used to put on so many great events, but now it’s a shadow of its former self. 

Rose said a bomb needs dropping on Heywood and starting again in order to give it a fresh look. 

“You’ve only got to walk through Heywood to work out what needs changing. No one is bothered about our town. We’re Heywood

“It’s really neglected here. That’s why we’re keen on the independent candidate (Chris Furlong), because he’s from here.”

This follows a recent swing towards independent politicians in the GM region, with the most recent wave causing Oldham Council’s labour group to lose overall control of the chamber. The local elections in May also saw Bolton and Stockport lose overall control of their councils due to the surge of independent popularity.

Before that, independent David Tully shocked everyone when he came a comfortable second in the Rochdale by-election to political heavyweight George Galloway. All of these recent events do show a discontent towards major political parties heading into the general election.

 

 

Ann Barlow, who has lived in Heywood for the entirety of her 54 years, is taking a different approach though. Although her tendency is to support the Green Party, she is opting for Labour in a tactical vote to ensure the Conservatives don’t stick around in Heywood and Middleton North.

“I know who I’m voting for. Labour have more for me, but they’re all liars.

“I’m voting for the least worst. They have more of a chance and, I want to make sure Tories don’t get in again.

“Don’t we all know it’s been Conservative here. It can’t get much worse can it. 

“But now nothing is going to improve for a long time because these things take time.”

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter