Rochdale Local Elections - Live Commentary

2.35pm:

All of the results have been revealed. The Lib Dems won four seats, in Healey, Milkstone and Deeplish, Milnrow and Newhey and Balderstone and Kirkholt. Labour also took four seats, in Central Rochdale, Spotland and Falinge, Kingsway and Smallbridge and Firgrove. The Conservatives have three seats, in Littleborough Lakeside, Wardle and West Littleborough and Healey.  

2.33pm:

The Lib Dems and Conservatives have won a seat each in Healey. One goes to Hilary Rodgers (LD), while Tory Andrew Neilson claims the other.

2.30pm:

The Healey result is imminent.

2.17pm:

As it stands, Liberal Democrats have lost overall control of the council, but remain the largest party with four seats still to confirm, two in Rochdale, and two in Heywood and Middleton.

2.09pm:

Only the Healey result to come in now.

2.06pm:

Another victory for the Lib Dems as Shah Wazir holds off Labour's Mohammed Zaman in Milkstone and Deeplish by the narrowest of margins.

2.05pm:

Andrew Kelly retains the Lib Dem seat in Milnrow and Newhey.

1.52pm:

Dale Mulgrew has kept hold of the Balderstone and Kirkholt ward for the Lib Dems. Martin Burke  stole yet another seat for Labour from the Lib Dems in Smallbridge and Firgrove, Christine Akram losing out.

1.51pm:

Surinder Biant (Labour) takes Spotland and Falinge from the Lib Dems. Another victory for Labour in Kingsway, Daalat Ali emerging victorious, claiming the seat from the Lib Dems.

1.43pm:

Stephanie Mills has claimed another victory for the Conservatives in Littleborough Lakeside, the Lib Dems losing their seat.

1.40pm:

In Central Rochdale Sultan Ali took the seat for Labour. Robert Clegg has retained Wardle and West Littleborough for the Conservatives. 

1.30pm:

The Rochdale votes are almost in and we have been informed that the results will be staggered, released in two separate announcements of five wards each.

1.23pm:

Some of the ward counts are almost complete. Kingsway votes have all been counted and we await confirmation of which party has claimed this seat. Earlier indications suggested that Labour's Daalat Ali was on the verge of snatching it from the Lib Dems.

1.13pm:

Candidates and agents for some wards are now being asked to sift through spoiled votes.

1.11pm:

At this stage in the count Labour are leading in Smallbridge and Firgrove, Central Rochdale and Spotland and Falinge. The Tories have a slight advantage over Lib Dems in Littleborough Lakeside, and it looks closely fought between all candidates in Milnrow and Newhey.

1.09pm:

Labour candidate Daalat Ali definitely has a clear advantage in Kingsway as he tries to steal the a place on the council from Lib Dems.

1.07pm:

It seems to be a close race between all candidates in Wardle and West Littleborough.

1.00pm:

The Healey result is still expected to come in last, the election of multiple candidates set to cause a delay. Jim Moran (Labour) looks to be ahead at the moment.

12.58pm:

Newly-elected Labour Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk  is at the Town Hall, talking to his party's local candidates.

12.52pm:

Jean Ashworth (LD) thinks it's 'looking good' for her party in Smallbridge and Firgrove.

12.50pm:

Andrew Kelly looking good to retain the Lib Dem seat in Milnrow and Newhey.

12.48pm:

Too close to call according to Labour and Lib Dem candidates in Spotland and Falinge.

12.46pm:

Lib Dem representative Shah Wazir surging ahead in Milkstone and Deeplish.

12.44pm:

It has been suggested that Labour have won in Kingsway, Daalat Ali looking to replace Doreen Morton (LD).

12.43pm:

The Town Hall is much less crowded than last night in the General Election. But today means just as much to the local candidates.

12.40pm:

Most wards are now halfway through the count.

12.39pm:

Labour described as 'rocketing' in Littleborough Lakeside.

12.36pm:

Count for Balderstone and Kirholt is at the halfway stage. Dale Mulgrew (LD) reaffirms his earlier confidence in winning this seat.

12.33pm:

Nothing to update for Healey. Multiple seats in this ward make it more difficult to count the votes.

12.31pm:

Votes looking tight between Lib Dems and Labour in Central Rochdale.

12.29pm:

Little indication of who leads the race for Wardle and West Littleborough.

12.27pm:

Labour said to be doing well in Spotland and Falinge postal votes.

12.25pm:

Andrew Kelly (LD) is looking in good shape to clinch the Milnrow and Newhey ward.

12.20pm:

Candidates are crowding the counting desks as the local elections race heats up.

12.18pm:

Councillor Pauline Maguire (LD), hoping to retain Littleborough and Lakeside, described the ward count so far as 'pretty even'.

12.17pm:

Labour looking good in Kingsway ward.

12.15pm:

Balderstone and Kirkholt Lib Dem candidate, Dale Mulgrew, is feeling 'reasonably confident' after watching the count last night, although he is still stunned from last night's result. He thinks it could have a huge bearing on local elections.

12.13pm:

Greg Couzens (LD), observing the count, said: 'Who knows what will happen after last night. We are shellshocked.'

12.11pm:

Councillor Jean Ashworth (LD) said: 'So far so good' for the Smallbridge and Firgrove ward.

12.09pm:

Councillor Sultan Ali is hopeful of hanging on to the Labour seat in Central Rochdale.

12.07pm:

In the early stages, Lib Dems are confident of retaining their seat in Milkstone and Deeplish.

12.00pm:

The first boxes are being emptied at Rochdale Town Hall. Count underway for all wards.

 

Before yesterday's election, Rochdale Borough Council was under Liberal Democrat control. The make-up of the council was as follows:

Liberal Democrat – 31
Labour - 18
Conservative - 8
Independent – 2
Vacant seats – 1 (Lib Dem Councillor Elwyn Watkins resigned in April 2010)

A total of 21 seats on the council are available at this election. This is one seat
per ward, with the exception of Healey – where two seats are available following the
resignation of Cllr Elwyn Watkins in April. His seat wasn’t due for re-election until 2011.

The seats up for election:

Liberal Democrat - 12
Labour - 5
Conservative - 2
Independent - 1 (not contesting)
Vacant - 1

 

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Local Election results 2010

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/elections/election-results/1