All the candidates standing in the North Middleton by-election

Date published: 07 October 2024

The vacant council seat in North Middleton will be contested by four candidates when polls open at the end of the month.

The election to replace the ex-councillor Peter Allonby will take place on Thursday 31 October. The former Middleton Independents representative was removed from his seat after not attending a council meeting in Rochdale for more than six months.

The Middleton Independents claim they were blocked from putting forward a motion to give an extension to Mr Allonby’s leave.

In response, the local Labour party simply claimed they did not put in a motion to extend his leave at a council meeting and that legislation dictates that the seat becomes vacant after six months.

Now candidates from the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Middleton Independents will battle it out to take the vacant seat.

Here is a profile on each candidate and why they are running for ward councillor…

Iain Donaldson (Liberal Democrats)

Mr Donaldson has run for election three times already this year; in the Rochdale by-election in February, the local elections and the general election for Blackley and Middleton South.

He spent 19 years as a councillor in Manchester, moved to Hopwood during the Covid pandemic to take care of his elderly mother. After she passed away, he decided to stay in the area.

Mr Donaldson said: “The Liberal Democrats would have backed extended compassionate leave for Mr Allonby, who has served the Middleton community admirably during his time as councillor.

“Nonetheless, we find ourselves in this situation, and the Liberal Democrats feel it is our responsibility to ensure that everyone can vote for the party of their choice. Therefore, I am running as the Liberal Democrat candidate in this by-election.”

He went on to claim that Labour are failing residents in Middleton and that the Lib Dems are the only party actively challenging the council run by Labour.

Sajid Majid (Conservatives)

The local resident in the Middleton area is seeking to add another seat to the council for the Conservatives. He claims that his understanding of the local area as a businessman means he could be more effective in bringing change to Middleton.

Mr Majid said: “I am standing for election because I believe I’m well positioned to represent residents at the town hall. Having been born and raised in Middleton, and as both a resident and business owner, I understand the challenges affecting our community and I’m committed to addressing them.”

Donna Martin (Labour)

Labour’s candidate will be a familiar name to those in the know for local politics as she has served on Rochdale Council previously. Ms Martin even held roles on the council’s cabinet before stepping away in 2022.

The election hopeful has lived in Middleton since 1983 and raised her family there.

The Labour candidate said: “Our two new Labour councillors for North Middleton Elizabeth Atewologun and Kath Bromfield have been working hard to represent you, holding surgeries and taking up your issues.

"I would be honoured to join their hard-working Labour team to bring resources and improvements to the area of North Middleton.

“Middleton deserves its fair share from Rochdale Council, and I believe the best way to achieve that is a strong voice inside the Labour Party. I have been a councillor before serving 22 years, in both south and east Middleton and have a proven track record of service to the town. I temporarily retired two years ago to look after ailing parents.”

Keeley O’Mara (Middleton Independents Party)

The Boarshaw-born mother lives in Middleton with her husband and daughter on their family farm. Keeley O’Mara says she has been involved in the community and has been campaigning on issues over many years for a better Middleton.

Mrs O’Mara said: “Every day, I’m living and breathing the same issues as you. I’m frustrated that at every election we get promised the world by local Labour and then the promises come to nothing.

“Meanwhile, our wonderful town of Middleton continues to decline at an accelerating pace. I believe that councillors are elected to serve us all.

“This includes engaging, listening, allowing residents to have a say, explaining the rationale for decisions made, responding to queries, and being truthful and transparent at all times.

“However, a lot of the time this isn’t happening and local residents are being ignored by some local Labour councillors.

“Worse still, the local forums where residents could once have their say, are now subject to heavy censorship, and only questions approved by local Labour are answered. Democracy is non-existent.

“You can be sure that if I’m elected, I will be your voice, I will be heard and absolutely won’t be silenced. I will call out wrongdoing, I will shout up for the rights of residents, and I will always be open, honest, and transparent.”

Residents of the North Middleton ward have to until 11.59pm on Tuesday 15 October 2024 to register to vote. You’ll need to be aged 16 or over in England to register to vote (but you can’t vote until you’re 18 years old). You must also be either a British citizen, an Irish or EU citizen living in the UK, a Commonwealth citizen with permission to stay in the UK, or a citizen of another country living in Scotland or Wales who has permission to enter or stay in the UK.

It takes just five minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes and amendments or cancellations of proxy votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU by 5pm on Wednesday 16 October. For more information visit: www.rochdale.gov.uk/elections-voting

To find out whether you live in the North Middleton ward, enter your postcode here or view a map of the North Middleton ward here.

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter