Local election candidates

The deadline for nominations for candidates in the forthcoming local elections has now passed and the list of candidates has been released. Although there are 20 seats up for grabs, no major changes are anticipated with only the odd seat or town expected to change hands.

The Conservatives will expect to hold Bamford, Norden, South Middleton and Wardle and West Littleborough but have little chance of taking any seats from the other two parties unless former councillor Ian Duckworth can spring a surprise in Balderstone and Kirkholt.

Labour's Darren Pedley, who lost his seat last year, will be hoping Mr Duckworth does not succeed as he tries to regain the same seat. Another former Labour Councillor seeking a seat back on the council is Tom Stott. Mr Stott contests the Kingsway seat he failed to win last year. Former Mayor of Rochdale, Jean Hornby, having lost her seat in Heywood last year, tries in Castleton and former Healey Councillor Surinder Biant stands in Spotland and Falinge.

The Lib Dems are typically bullish about their chances professing they expect to gain two or three seats to increase their majority. Probably their best hope of doing so comes in Heywood North where Malcolm Bruce hopes to join the two Lib Dems already in situ in that ward. Terry Smith is said to be confident of gaining the Middleton West seat after coming close last year and Rhoda Morley hopes to go one better after coming within 37 votes of taking one of Labour’s safest seats in a November by-election.

As usual, Rochdale Online has invited all candidates to submit a 'pitch' to Rochdale Online to give you the chance to read why they believe you should cast your vote their way, see:

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/elections/default