Independent candidate refuses to be mocked by Council

Carl Faulkner promises to donate all the councillor allowances he receives to Rochdale charities if elected

Independent candidate for Spotland and Falinge, Carl Faulkner has no intention of signing up to a Community Cohesion Pledge after receiving a letter from Rochdale Borough Council inviting him to do so.

“If I were to sign up to something like this, it would make a mockery of the fact that I am standing as an Independent. The Council should concentrate on doing what it is paid to do – provide decent services for the people of this town.

"I’m not interested in silly gestures such as this. I take people as I find them and already know the meaning of respect.

"Signing this pledge will achieve nothing and it is wrong for the Council to interfere with the electoral process in this way.

"The next thing you know, the council will be wanting the electorate to declare they won’t vote for anyone unless they too sign the Community Cohesion Pledge.

"No doubt weak-minded candidates will feel obliged to sign the pledge; just like they will feel obliged to do a lot of things if elected.

"However, what I am happy to do is reiterate my own pledge that if elected, I will donate all the councillor allowances I receive to Rochdale charities.”