Former council leader back after 20 years

Richard Farnell, newly elected councillor for Balderstone and Kirkholt

The result that everyone was waiting for was Balderstone and Kirkholt where a newly returned former Labour Leader, Richard Farnell, polled 1582 whilst Pat Colclough polled 638 and Christine Akram for the Conservatives managed only a meagre 183.

Speaking to Rochdale Online, Mr Farnell said, “I am really pleased with the result. And with the tremendous support that I have received. There are a lot of problems in the ward and I want to resolve them.”

“Secondly, this result proves that dirty tricks don't win. There has been some very dirty campaigning by the Liberal Democrats.” 

Clearly in the lead almost as soon as the count got underway, Billy Sheerin (L) made it clear that he had decimated his opponents in what was once a Liberal Democrat stronghold. Billy, a first time candidate romped home with 1728 with Ronald Crossley (C) polling 313 and the once-mighty Liberal Democrats trailing along in third place with a meagre 259.

After the Castleton result was announced, newly-elected Billy Sheerin told Rochdale Online: "This result is amazing and I feel both delighted and humbled that the people of Castleton have placed their faith in me.

"People are very obviously disillusioned with the Liberal Democrats and their campaign that seemed, in Castleton at least, to lack focus and failed to connect.

"I have had a terrific team around me and I could not have achieved this without their hard work, dedication and belief that together we really can make things better.

"The people of Castleton have spoken very clearly tonight and I will work with them and for them to ensure that our voice is heard and that we can stop the neglect and reclaim our village once more.

"I have been asked to stand as a candidate on many occasions but only now, three years into my retirement, do I feel that the time is right for me to serve my community in this way."

In the Great Hall, the counting tables of Milkstone & Deeplish ward seemed to attract the most interest as Councillor Sharif fought to hold onto his seat following his defection from the Liberal Democrats to the Conservatives. His Labour opponent, Terry Linden, beat him convincingly with 1840 votes to Mohammed Sharif's 1224. Liz Thirsk of the Liberal Democrats managed to attract only 169.

Terry Linden maintained his quiet air of confidence throughout a count that appeared to be neck and neck for the first hour. Mr Sharif was clearly disappointed by the result.

In Kingsway, Liberal Democrat councillor David Clayton lost his seat to Labour's Shakil Ahmed. Mr Ahmed stormed away with 1724 votes to Mr Clayton's 474. Rifat Mahmood, the Conservative candidate polled 316 coming in just ahead of Ricky Akehurst of the EDL with 215.

In Healey ward Shaun O'Neill (L) polled 1251 beating Lee Durrant (C) who came in with 1137. Tom Bailey of the Liberal Democrats followed the night's trend of his party's almost total collapse with only 376 votes.

Labour were clearly delighted with their large win. And their were cries of delight throughout the night as result after result went Labour's way.