'The town has a bad name now... I want someone that cares'
manchestereveningnews.co.ukPeople in Rochdale have made their voices loud and clear ahead of the local elections next month - saying they want politicians they can trust who get the basics right.
A whirlwind by-election in February, labelled 'a circus' by many, saw George Galloway announced as the new MP for Rochdale. Although a win for the Workers Party leader was seen as a longshot by many at the beginning of the campaign, it ended up being inevitable after Labour’s candidate Azhar Ali and favourite had his endorsement removed by the party after he made 'deeply offensive' comments about Israel. READ MORE: Greater Manchester's NHS being plunged into 'special measures' over £180m black hole of debt The debate around the Gaza conflict as well as barbs between political parties has taken its toll on voters - who said the good name of Rochdale was dragged through the mud.
Retired Denise Brennan told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I'm not impressed by people like George Galloway not from Rochdale coming in and stirring things up.
There is a bad feeling around politics now. "Rochdale has a really bad name now. You used to have a councillor that could come in and get things sorted. "Now you have to fight for everything, carers, support everything.
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk
