William Hague visits Rochdale

William Hague speaking in Castleton

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Former leader of the Conservative Party William Hague was in as part of his tour of the North West in the run-up to Thursday’s local elections. The Shadow Foreign Secretary met with almost 100 local Conservative Party members, including candidates hoping to be elected on Thursday, at a reception held at The Royal Toby. 

Mr Hague said: “It was great to be in the Heywood & Middleton constituency and to meet so many people from across Greater Manchester. In the North West, there are more Conservative candidates than Labour or Liberal Democrat. The Party is in great spirit and we are looking forward to the results on Thursday.”

Sue Pawson, Chairwoman of the local Conservatives said: “It was great for William to visit and to hear him speak – he’s certainly rallied the troops as we head into the final few days.” 

Ashley Dearnley, leader of the Conservative Group on Rochdale Council said: "William is a very inspiring speaker who has filled us with enthusiasm and encouraged us a great deal. He reinforced what we are hearing on the doorsteps, people are seriously disillusioned with Labour.

"At a local level that has been reflected in the past couple of years by people voting Lib Dem, however, given the mess the Lib Dems have made of running the council it is clear the only party that will make a real difference is the Conservative Party.

"People tell us they want rid of this Lib Dem council and so I appeal to all those natural Conservatives, who for a varity of reasons have voted Lib Dem in the past, to vote for your Conservative candidate on Thursday."