The Chaotic Rochdale By-Election: A Battle for Representation and Community Needs

The small town of Rochdale, located near Manchester, England, has been the center of attention for the political world due to its recent by-election. This contest, caused by the unfortunate death of Sir Tony Lloyd, the town’s widely respected Labour MP, should have been a straightforward victory for Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party. However, the entry of maverick former MP and left-wing firebrand George Galloway, and the spectacular implosion of Labour’s campaign, has thrown the contest wide open.

The Rochdale by-election, taking place on a Thursday, is a significant event for the town, which has a proud history as the birthplace of the Cooperative movement and 1930s film legend Gracie Fields. However, in recent years, Rochdale has been associated with child sexual exploitation and grooming, an issue that is a topic of discussion at the ballot box. The town center has undergone a makeover, with a new shopping center, and its Grade II listed town hall has just benefited from a £20m restoration. Despite these improvements, social deprivation, poor housing, and crime remain prevalent issues.

The contest in Rochdale is not just about party politics; it is a battle for representation and community needs. Eleven candidates are vying for votes, each promising to address the town’s unique challenges. The chaos in Parliament is reflected in the campaigning, with candidates targeting specific demographics and issues.

George Galloway, the former Respect MP, is mainly targeting Rochdale’s Muslim population, who make up about 30% of the electorate. Many of these voters are angry about what is happening in Gaza and feel unheard by the mainstream political parties. Galloway’s campaign leaflets read, “The people of Gaza don’t have a vote in this election, you do.” He promises to “enter the chamber of the House of Commons like a tornado” and “shake the walls for Gaza.” A victory for him in Rochdale would be noticed “by the people in Gaza, by the people in Tel Aviv, but most importantly by the front benches in Parliament.”

Labour’s candidate, Azhar Ali, had initially backed an immediate ceasefire in Gaza before Keir Starmer’s calls for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire.” However, a recording of him making allegedly antisemitic comments emerged, leading to his disownment by the party. Despite this, Ali is still officially Labour’s candidate and will appear on the ballot paper as such. If elected, he will sit in the Commons as an independent MP. Some Labour supporters are still campaigning for him, while others are confused about who to back.

Wendy Fleming, a recent resident of Rochdale from Ireland, is struggling to find any candidate worth backing. She says, “That actually hurts my soul. Voting is something I really do take seriously, always have done, but this time it’s so difficult. It’s really just going to be the best of a bad bunch.”

The Monster Raving Loony Party candidate, Ravin Rodent Subortna, is the only one talking sense to some voters, according to Wendy Fleming. However, his chances of winning the election are slim.

The town’s former Labour MP, Simon Danczuk, is standing for Reform UK. He insists his “old Labour values” are perfectly in tune with Reform and dismisses the accusations of sending explicit messages to a 17-year-old girl as “tabloid nonsense.” He focuses on tackling crime and taking a hard line on immigration. He accuses Galloway of ignoring the majority of voters in the town, who are “white, working people.”

Galloway initially refuses to respond to Danczuk’s accusations but can’t resist a jibe. He says, “Being called a chancer by Simon Danczuk – it’s a bit like being told to stand up straight by the Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Galloway has a history of defeating Labour in by-elections, having done so in Bethnal Green and Bradford West. He plans to use Rochdale as a launchpad for his Workers Party of Britain, which is trying to recruit 50 candidates for the general election.

Andrew Johnson, a housing campaigner, is worried about “sectarianism” if Galloway is elected and plans to vote for Reform UK. He believes it would be inappropriate to vote for someone who is more concerned about things that are going on thousands of miles away than streets away.

Samur Mushtaq, a local restaurant owner and community campaigner, is alarmed by the “inflammatory rhetoric” from the Danczuk campaign. He wants a local MP who will represent the community well and is veering towards the Liberal Democrats.

Rochdale was a Lib Dem stronghold not so long ago, and their candidate, Iain Donaldson, believes it can be again. He backs a ceasefire in Gaza and an eventual “two-state solution” in the Middle East but is focusing his campaign on tackling child poverty and poor quality housing in Rochdale.

The Conservatives also have a strong following in the constituency, particularly in the more affluent suburbs and villages. Their candidate, Paul Ellison, who runs a landscaping firm, is campaigning on “bread and butter” issues like crime and local businesses. He was on holiday when we were in Rochdale, but James Daly, MP for nearby Bury North, insisted the party was “fighting for every vote.”

Roy Smethurst, out walking his dog Sunny in the pouring rain in Littleborough, a village just outside Rochdale, plans to vote Conservative. He used to be proud to be a Rochdalian but is concerned about the town’s recent reputation.

The Rochdale by-election is a chaotic and complex contest, with candidates targeting specific demographics and issues. The town’s unique challenges and the political chaos in Parliament have made this by-election one for the history books. The outcome of this election will not only determine the representation of Rochdale in Parliament but also set the tone for the general election.

In conclusion, the Rochdale by-election is a significant event for the town, with eleven candidates vying for votes and promising to address the town’s unique challenges. The chaos in Parliament is reflected in the campaigning, with candidates targeting specific demographics and issues. The outcome of this election will not only determine the representation of Rochdale in Parliament but also set the tone for the general election. The people of Rochdale are eager to be heard and represented, and the candidates are promising to deliver. The chaos in Rochdale is a microcosm of the larger political landscape, and the results of this by-election will be closely watched by political observers and the public alike.