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.
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