On Air Now

Now Playing

Listen Live Watch

Elsie Blundell MP Resigns as Councillor for Balderstone and Kirkholt

Tuesday, 18 March 2025 14:46

By David Murphy, Adam Clark

Elsie Blundell MP

Elsie Blundell has resigned as a councillor for Balderstone and Kirkholt following her election as the MP for Heywood and Middleton.

The resignation has been long awaited by both local residents in Kirkholt and members of the Rochdale Labour group, who felt that Blundell’s time needed to be spent focusing on the wider constituency.

Blundell was elected as the MP for Heywood and Middleton in the general election last year but had continued in her role as a local councillor in the weeks following. However, it was widely expected that she would step down from the council once the transition to her parliamentary role was complete.

Her resignation will now trigger a by-election for the Balderstone and Kirkholt ward, with a date to be announced in due course, but this is expected to be early May.

Labour will be looking to retain the seat, though opposition parties are also expected to contest the vacancy.

A spokesperson for Rochdale Labour Group has said: "We confirm that Cllr Elsie Blundell MP has resigned her seat.

The local Labour Party have selected Leanne Greenwood to contest the upcoming Balderstone and Kirkholt by-election."

Elsie Blundell MP has been approached for comment.

Share

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Comments

Add a comment

Log in to the club or enter your details below.

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Recently Played

Newsletter

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

   

Coming up next On Air

  • Weekends on Roch Valley Radio

    4:00am - 6:00am

  • Early with Jordan

    6:00am - 8:00am

    with Jordan O'Dea

  • Sunday Breakfast

    8:00am - 10:00am

    with Karl Parr to ease yourself into Sunday morning with something old, something new, something borrowed, especially for you.

  • Weekends on Roch Valley Radio

    10:00am - Noon

  • The Sunday Sanctuary

    Noon - 2:00pm

    with Rachel Frier, promoting well-being, positive mental health using a combination of holistic and science based information.

  • El Happy Hour

    2:00pm - 3:00pm

    with Willian Gutierrez the best of Latino Music.

Roch Valley Radio is a not-for-profit radio station serving Bury and Rochdale including the surrounding areas on DAB, your Smart Speakers and Online.

© Copyright 2026 Roch Valley Radio CIC. Powered by Aiir.