The local elections in Rochdale are fast approaching and all political parties are jostling for votes in the build up to May 7.

The local elections in Rochdale are fast approaching and all political parties are jostling for votes in the build up to May 7.

On polling day 20 out of 60 council seats will be up for grabs. Each council ward has three dedicated councillors with one from every ward on the line come election day.

A massive 120 candidates have been fielded by eight political parties and independents. Conservatives, Greens, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Reform UK, Workers Party, Middleton Independents and one Advance UK candidate are all in the mix.

Given the sheer number of candidates for voters to choose from, it is anticipated that this year’s local elections will be a tight contest. 

Political parties of all colours have been knocking on doors trying to appeal to voters. The result of their efforts will be known come May 8.

Labour currently has an iron grip on the council with 43 council seats. The next largest political party is the Conservatives with eight councillors, then the Liberal Democrats with three and the Middleton Independents, Reform UK and Workers Party of Britain all have two.

The election will take place on Thursday, May 7, from 7am until 10pm. Voters are reminded they will need to take ID to polling stations in order to vote.

Here is what each party running in this election has to say to the electorate…

Labour

Council leader Neil Emmott said: “These elections are about local matters, what happens here in Rochdale, Middleton, Heywood, Littleborough, Milnrow and Wardle. These elections aren’t about national or international politics; they’re about who works for you and your local area, which party manages your council the most efficiently.

“We stand on our record of delivering for residents, looking to our future prosperity and investing in our communities. We gave every household in the borough a 2 per cent discount on their council tax, which means our Labour council has the smallest council tax rise in Greater Manchester and one of the lowest in the north west. We know household budgets can be tight, so we wanted to give some help to residents.

“We’ve set up the Atom Valley Mayoral Development Corporation with Andy Burnham. This will bring manufacturing back to our borough and build future jobs growth. Again, with Andy Burnham we’ve established the Middleton Mayoral Development Corporation to breathe new life into Middleton town centre and to bring Metrolink trams to the town.

“We’ve established the Heywood Town Board, renovated Heywood Civic Hall and Peine Square and secured our share of £2.5bn government funding to bring regular rail services back to Heywood for the first time since 1969.

“We’ve invested massively in Rochdale town centre with our renovated town hall, new shopping centre and new development to improve the area around Rochdale Station. We’ve invested heavily in improving Littleborough centre.

“We hope you vote for Labour locally, so we may continue to deliver on behalf of all our communities in the borough.”

Conservatives

Coun Stephen Anstee, leader of Rochdale Conservatives, said: “At this election, Heywood, Middleton, and Rochdale Conservatives are offering something simple to residents: common sense, consistency, and a willingness to get stuck in and fix things.

“We are a strong opposition on the council, but not an oppositional one. We support good ideas, but we won’t stay quiet when things are going wrong. That’s the balance residents expect.

“In the wards we represent, people know exactly what they get from us. We’re visible, active, and we deal with issues head on, whether that’s anti-social behaviour, local services, or holding the council to account. For us, it’s not about slogans or soundbites; it’s about doing the work all year round. 

“Now we want to bring that same approach to more parts of the borough, because every community deserves councillors who will turn up, speak up, and follow things through.

“Our priorities are clear. Protect the greenbelt and make sure infrastructure comes before development, keep council tax under control, and take a zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour so people feel safe where they live. 

“We also want to see proper regeneration across the borough, alongside a renewed focus on the basics like roads and local services.

“If people want a council that truly listens to them and is serious about local delivery for all our communities, then it’s time to vote Conservative.”

Liberal Democrats

Coun Andy Kelly, leader of Rochdale Lib Dems, said: “At a time when politics is becoming more polarised and divisive, the Liberal Democrats stand firm in our stance of tolerance, compassion and understanding. We believe in making decisions based on evidence and that benefits the widest number of people.

“We listen, take responsibility and take action. For Rochdale this means that your Lib Dem candidates will be hard working, problem solving and accountable. 

“We pledge that you will be available to you as your elected representatives. We will respond to emails, phone calls and messages and keep in touch with you all year round- something we hear from residents other councillors fail to do.

“We believe in getting the basics right. Dealing with casework promptly and informing people of what we’re doing. 

“Councillors should not live in ivory towers going unseen between elections. We are a grassroots party who put community first.

“Support for the Lib Dems is growing across the borough year on year and we have a blend of experience and young energy in our candidates who can tar this borough forward.”

Reform UK

Leader of Reform in Rochdale, Coun Jordan Tarrant-Short, said: “For too long, the people of Rochdale have been ignored by a council that’s lost touch with everyday life. It’s time to bring back common sense and put residents at the forefront.

“We will stand up for the people who live and work here, not for bureaucracy or wasteful priorities. Rochdale deserves leadership that listens and acts.

“The cost of living is hitting local families hard. Under Labour’s leadership, many residents feel they are paying more and getting less. We will push for better value for money, challenge rising costs where we can, and ensure local decisions help ease pressure on households without adding to it. Nationally, Reform-led councils have kept council tax rises lower, at around 3.94 per cent, showing it is possible to protect residents while still delivering essential services.

“Our streets should be safe. Too many residents feel let down by anti-social behaviour and a lack of visible policing. We will support stronger action and real consequences for repeat offenders.

“Our town centres and local pubs are the heart of our community. We will support independent businesses and help bring life back into the borough’s high streets.

“We will also focus on the basics: cleaner streets, better roads and reliable bin collections, the standards residents deserve. Rochdale deserves better. This is about restoring pride, fairness, and accountability to our borough.

“Vote for common sense. Vote for Reform UK.”

Workers Party

Workers Party councillor in Rochdale, Coun Minaam Ellahi, said: “We believe this year’s local elections are an important moment for our communities. Our candidates are standing to offer a different approach to local politics, one that is rooted in visibility, accountability and a clear focus on the everyday concerns of residents.

“Over several years, many people across Rochdale have consistently raised issues such as the condition of our roads, fly tipping, housing pressures and access to local services. In too many areas, these concerns remain ongoing, and residents often feel that little has visibly changed despite being raised time and time again. After 15 years of Labour failure in Rochdale, many residents are now looking for an alternative and a new direction for Rochdale.

“Our candidates are standing to ensure that ordinary residents are properly heard and represented. For us, representation means being present, accessible and responsive, not just at election time, but throughout the year. It means listening to residents, taking their concerns seriously, and working to ensure those concerns are reflected in local decision making.

“We believe local government should be firmly rooted in the needs of the community, with a stronger focus on frontline issues that directly impact people’s daily lives. Greater accountability and transparency are essential if trust in local politics is to be rebuilt.

“This election provides an opportunity for residents to reflect on their experiences, consider the choices available, and decide who they believe will best represent their communities going forward.

“Our commitment is simple, to be a clear, consistent and community focused voice for the people of Rochdale.”

Green Party

A spokesperson for the Rochdale Greens said: “Rochdale Green Party are proud to offer candidates in every single ward this local elections, each promoting our local manifesto of policies that put people and place first. Naturally, issues of the environment are prominent, such as clean air and renewable energy, because these can improve the quality of our lives and our health while helping with affordability and local jobs. 

“But the Green Party are about so much more too. We are the party of hope not hate, inclusivity not division, and we want everyone to live in safe, welcoming and prosperous communities.

“This election, we are offering a range of measures to residents that aim to reduce inequality, improve access to the services people need, and help us to achieve our local climate action target of renewable energy, improving public transport, protecting green spaces, and building energy-efficient housing. Together, we will work with communities to make our town a better place to live, work and study, which will benefit us all. 

“We will support fairer local economies, champion small businesses, and deliver positive changes that are actually felt by everyone.”

“We promise to ensure that local governance fairly represents the full range of voices in our communities and is transparent, with decision making that includes local groups and residents, meaningful community consultations, and active resident involvement to shape the policies that directly affect their neighbourhoods. 

“We can change Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton for the better if we work together, across communities and parties, in a spirit of co-operation.”