Rochdale Lib Dems push for control

The Liberal Democrats in the Rochdale Borough say they are making a final push to take over the Council in May.  They have fielded a full slate of candidates and are targetting a number of areas including Balderstone and Kirkholt, Norden, Kingsway, Bamford, Middleton East and West and Heywood North and West.

Council Leader Alan Taylor said: "Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council officially is still under no overall control.  We are targetting more seats than ever this year as well as defending more than ever before.  The growth of the Liberal Democrats in the Borough over the last few years has been considerable.  We have shown ourselves as a group who can be trusted to run the Borough.  Already since May we have devolved more power down to the Townships, proved ourselves as a listening Council, increased Council Tax by the smallest amount for a decade and many more improvements."

Councillor Taylor paid tribute to the two Liberal Democrat Councillors who are standing down - Spotland and Falinge Councillor Rodney Stott and Councillor Paul Rowen MP in Milkstone and Deeplish.  He said: "Rodney and Paul have nearly 65 years of active service between them, politics on the local Council will simply not be the same without them.  Rodney will be sorely missed - his sense of humour and hard work over 30 years is greatly appreciated.  Paul Rowen will now concentrate solely on the excellent job he is doing representing Rochdale in Parliament.  He made a promise to the people of Milkstone and Deeplish in 2004 that he would do his full term of office and he has done just that. 

"I also welcome the fact that the BNP are not standing, last year's election was dominated by the politics of hate.

"We are fighting every area in the Borough to win and are delighted that everyone in the Borough will have the chance to vote Liberal Democrat in May.  People in Rochdale haven't forgotten the Labour/Tory Coalition from last year and the fact, just like Blair and Cameron nationally, there is no difference.  They voted together on every major issue last year."
 
Paul Rowen MP said: "I am proud to have been an active member of this Council for the last 24 years.  I have had so many great memories over the years and been involved in numerous positive improvements to our town.  Of course I will continue to represent you as your Member of Parliament with as much enthusiasm as I have done as a Councillor for the last 24 years.  It seems like a long time ago and I remember thinking even then what a veteran Councillor Rodney Stott was when I was first elected."