Locals have their say ahead of the Balderstone and Kirkholt by-election

One Rochdale suburb is the only place in Greater Manchester going to the polls this week. But the Balderstone and Kirkholt by-election is set to be a hotly contested affair.

One Rochdale suburb is the only place in Greater Manchester going to the polls this week. But the Balderstone and Kirkholt by-election is set to be a hotly contested affair.

Balderstone and Kirkholt is an area just north of the M62 motorway with two huge housing estates. There are seven candidates hoping to take the place of Elsie Blundell, who resigned as councillor last month to focus on her new job as MP for Heywood and Middleton North. 

The ward is usually a happy hunting ground for Labour, who have dominated the polls in previous elections, but this time around there seems to be calls for change.

Balderstone Park sits between the two estates in the area, and locals took the time out of enjoying the sunshine to talk politics with the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Unlike the weather, people’s views of politicians were not all sunshine and rainbows.

Dale Peters says he’s not a regular voter and feels no affiliation with any particular party. 

The 35-year-old, plonked on a bench at the gates of the park, said: “I don’t believe in politics. When they get in power they don’t seem to do anything for us.

“I feel there is no point putting into the system. Like my nan who has worked two jobs all her life and put money into the system through tax and now she isn’t getting any support.

“Until things change I don’t want to get involved. It seems to me that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.”

Strolling through under the shade of the trees with Amber, her dog, Jane Brown said: “I’ve never voted in my life, for religious reasons. I don’t think people can sort the problems out.

“I’ve never seen the benefits they bring, and they only start to help when an election is coming up. So I don’t get too involved really. 

“I believe the politicians are just out for themselves.”

Lack of faith in politicians and their ability to get the job done is a big problem for locals in the area. The last time residents of Balderstone and Kirkholt went to the polls in May 2024, only a quarter of those eligible to vote actually bothered to vote.

Dale went on to say that damp and mould in people’s homes is a massive issue and welcomed any politician to come in and support those suffering. Supporting those with welfare needs would also be something that could get the man raised on the Kirkholt estate to get out and vote.

Apathy and the desire for a change to the status-quo politically is what one party thinks is working in their favour. The Reform Party has recently seen a surge in popularity, coming second in a number of Greater Manchester seats in last year’s General Election, and storming to victory in a council by-election in Tameside earlier this month.

Kirkholt resident Patricia Colclough explained that she used to be a Lib Dem councillor in Rochdale, but thinks she will vote Reform this time around. Although the pensioner credited the two other current Labour councillors Danny Meredith and Philip Massey with doing a good job.

Patricia, known to many as Pat, told the LDRS: “We have two good councillors from Labour, I’ve never voted Labour but these two are okay.

“I am going to vote Reform at this election. I think we need a change. 

“The way they were talking before I didn’t like them. I never used to like Farage either, but now he has to prove himself now.

“The want for change is driving the votes to Reform. Immigration is an issue locally because of the amount of people using local facilities.

“It takes so long to get a GP appointment for example. We have a mixed society here in Kirkholt and we don’t have any trouble.

“I just want a candidate that can do well for the community.”

Ian and Val Bayman were walking their granddaughter’s Cavapoo, Ronnie – who was weaving through the playground at high speeds. Although they live just down the road from the Balderstone and Kirkholt area, they believe the shift in political views recently comes from divides in communities.

Ian said: “To be honest. I think Starner is a complete idiot. They’re pandering to certain communities just to get votes. 

“We feel there is some segregation and we need a one community. This rift is what is changing how people vote.

“I think people are disappointed in what the Tories did and what Labour are doing, so they’re wanting a change.”

Val added that they both voted Lib Dem at the last election, not because of Lib Dem politics, but because their local councillor ‘gets the job done’ and supports people in the community when they need it. She feels if Labour want to bring back voters, they should start by simply delivering for local people again.

Despite many in the area calling for change, not everyone wants to see Labour ousted at the election. Kim Williams works in a care home locally doing six-day weeks and long hours, but she thinks the council are supportive enough for her.

The 39-year-old said: “I don’t tend to bother with politics, just because I don’t have the time. I’ve never really had any reason to complain though.

“I don’t think there is a particular need to change. But maybe wages could be higher for those in the care sector.

“It’s challenging work and a pay boost could really help in dealing with the cost of living crisis. But I do feel the council supports me and I wouldn’t want change.”

The mother-of-five also felt there should be more free activities available for children. She says it costs her a fortune to take her little ones for trips or days out

Kim thinks any more support for working mums would be wholeheartedly welcomed in the community.

Polls will open to voters on Thursday, May 1 to decide who will take the vacant council seat.

Six candidates representing Labour, the Conservatives, the Lib Dems, Workers, Reform, the Greens – as well as an independent candidate – are in the running.