North Middleton by election

A keenly fought contest in the North Middleton by election culminates today (Thursday 29 November) as voters in the ward go to the polls to elect a replacement for the late Ian Robertson.

The Liberal Democrats have put a huge effort into trying to take the Labour held ward, delivering many thousands of leaflets and pouring campaigners into the area, including political heavy weights such as Lib Dem leadership candidate Chris Huhne, MEP Chris Davies and MP for neighbouring Rochdale, Paul Rowen.

The Labour Party has also put in a lot of work and brought back Councillor David Murphy from Spain to lend his weight to their campaign to retain the seat. Councillor Murphy may not seem a match for the Lib Dem heavyweight line up, but the former Mayor, and Middleton councillor for over two decades, is very well known and respected in Middleton, a local man talking to local people - perhaps a shrewd move by the Labour Party.

In contrast the Conservative Party, without the resources to match the Lib Dems or the Labour Party, has run a fairly low key campaign.

Expectations:

• The Conservatives do not have any chance of winning the seat.
• The Lib Dems have been very bullish about their chances over the past few weeks, Paul Rowen's agent David Hennigan boasting the Lib Dems were well in front and would win comfortably. However, this confidence has ebbed over the past few days and the Lib Dems have downgraded their prediction to a "close contest", but one they are still expecting to win.
• The Labour Party has not been as vociferous with their claims as the Lib Dems but have been consistently confident they will hold the seat.

Rochdale Online predicts that Labour will hold the seat.

The candidates:

• Jonathan Burns
  Labour Party Candidate
  Mr Burns has lived in Middleton all his life. He attended the Queen Elizabeth School, and went onto Higher Education to achieve qualifications in Media and Television Production, and later, in Youth and Community Work.
  He has been actively involved in Middleton for many years, as a Youth and Community worker, volunteer, and as the Director of a well established Community Media Organisation based in the town.
  
  
• Rhoda Morley
  Liberal Democrat Party Candidate
  Ms Morley is a local businesswoman and has been an active member of the community for many years.  She is a member for the Middleton Active Drama Group and also enjoys modern sequence dancing and regular walking. 
  She has stood for the Liberal Democrats before, last May when she stood in the East Middleton Ward. 
  
  
• David Harris
  Conservative Party Candidate
  Mr Harris is married and has lived in the Boarshaw area of Middleton for almost thirty years before moving to Alkrington this year. He still visits the area regularly, which he says keeps him very much in touch with the needs of the residents in the ward. He works for the First Bus company as a driver and instructor.

Rochdale Online will be at the count at Middleton Sports Centre and the result will be published as soon as it is announced.