‘Skullduggery’ claims and ballot row as Reform snatches Balderstone and Kirkholt seat

Friday, 2 May 2025 01:19

By David Murphy

Tensions flared at the Rochdale council by-election count last night (Thursday), as independent candidate Billy Howarth accused officials of mishandling ballot papers and demanded a full recount, while hurling abuse at fellow candidates who declined to back his call.

The count was briefly disrupted after ballot bundles were allegedly placed in the wrong piles spotted by Howarth.

However, Rochdale Borough Council officials identified and corrected the issue before continuing with the verification and declaration of results.

Howarth, who finished fifth, was visibly angry during the proceedings. When other candidates, including those from the Workers Party and Reform UK, declined to support a recount, he shouted: “You bottled it, the lot of you. No recount – shame on the f***ing lot of you.”

Greater Manchester Police officers were present to ensure order and intervened when Howarth’s anger escalated. One officer told him: “Calm yourself down or I’ll ask you to leave.” Howarth replied: “I’ll leave, no problem. It’s alright – you keep here, keep working for the system.”

We have exclusive audio capturing the moment Billy Howarth unleashed his fury while leaving the Rochdale by-election count.

He later claimed there had been “skullduggery” in the count and maintained that a full recount was necessary, despite the issue having been addressed by election officers.

On Friday morning, a spokesman for Rochdale Borough Council said:

“At one point during the counting of votes last night concerns were raised about the process. The concerns were promptly addressed in discussions with all candidates and their agents and all but one was satisfied with the information provided”

Reform UK candidate Jordan Tarrant-Short was ultimately declared the winner.

Election Results (Turnout: 2362 - 28%)


Party	Candidate	Votes	Share (%)
Reform UK	Jordan Tarrant-Short (Elected)	766	32.55%
Labour	Leanne Greenwood	624	26.51%
Workers Party of Britain	Laura Pugh	398	16.91%
Conservative	Mudassar Razzaq	212	9.01%
Independent	Billy Howarth	180	7.65%
Liberal Democrats	Chariss Laura Peacock	109	4.63%
Green	Martyn David Savin	65	2.76%