Candidates confirmed for Rochdale council by-election next month

Thursday, 3 April 2025 21:00

By Adam Clark

Credit: David Murphy / Roch Valley Radio

Seven candidates have been confirmed to stand in the Balderstone & Kirkholt Ward by-election next month.

The election was triggered after Labour's Elsie Blundell resigned as a councillor last month following her election as the MP for Heywood and Middleton in the most recent general election

All major parties will stand a candidate on the ballot paper, with one independent candidate also named.

Leanne Greenwood looks to hold the seat, as the Labour candidate. Mudassar Razzaq is The Conservative Party Candidate.

The Workers Party of Britain will look to add to their current two seats on Rochdale Council, Laura Pugh represents them.

Martyn Savin, stands as the Green Party candidate, he also was up for election last summer to become Rochdale's MP, he gained 3% of the vote on that occasion.

Jordan Tarrant-Short will be Reform UK's name on the ballot paper, after defecting from the Conservative party who he stood for in the North Heywood seat at last year's council elections.

Chariss Peacock represents the Liberal Democrats, previously standing in the Kingsway seat for the all-out elections in 2022.

Billy Howarth, will stand as an independent after previously being the Workers Party Of Britain candidate in this seat at last year's elections.

Click here to view the statement of the persons nominated for election as a Councillor for Balderstone and Kirkholt Ward.

The by-election to elect a Councillor for the Balderstone and Kirkholt ward will be held on Thursday 1st May.

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 Greater Manchester

Groundbreaking marks start of work at landmark new Radcliffe school

Work has begun on Morgan Sindall Construction’s latest education project in Greater Manchester.
Domestic abuse survivor encourages other victims and survivors to report their experiences via Live Chat

We’ve reunited a survivor of rape and domestic abuse with the two women who helped her through her initial report; call handler Emma, and responding and investigating officer based at Rochdale CID, Detective Sergeant Ruth Thompson.
Tram crashes surge by 30 per cent in 2024

Crashes involving Metrolink trams and cars surged by 30 per cent last year, new data shows.
‘Little Billy don’t be silly, I trapping till I make a milly’ wannabe rapper jailed for drugs supply and exploitation

Following a meticulous investigation by our specialist County Lines Team, William Bates has been jailed for nine years and seven months for a string of drug offences.
No chill from the old bill as rapping OCG jailed for over 40 years

A firearm which has been linked to multiple disputes across Greater Manchester has been seized during a proactive investigation by specialist detectives in our Serious Organised Crime Group into a Manchester based Organised Crime Group (OCG) responsible for supply heroin and crack cocaine via the ‘Lex’ line.
Family pay tribute to Chadderton murder victim Paul Bowles

The family of a man who tragically lost his life in Chadderton earlier this week have paid heartfelt tribute to him as police investigations continue.
Man Charged with Murder following Fatal altercation at Elk Mill Roundabout

A man has been charged with murder following a fatal incident near the Elk Mill roundabout in Chadderton earlier this week.
Mum and Baby Found Safe After Placenta Discovery in Oldham Park

A mother and her newborn baby have been located safe and well following a police investigation sparked by the discovery of a placenta in Werneth Park, Oldham, earlier today (Friday 28 March 2025).