UK town that’s ‘Labour’s hunting ground’ but backs Reform as ‘Keir Starmer is an idiot’.uk
Voters are due to go to the polls on Thursday in this year’s local elections.
Pat says there is a ‘want for change’ (Image: Getty/LDRS)
People in a UK town that is said to be Labour’s hunting ground have said they are backing Reform UK and think Sir Keir Starmer is an “idiot”. Balderstone and Kirkholt, a suburb of Rochdale, is the only area in Greater Manchester that is due to go to the polls on May 1 as they take part in a by-election to elect a new councillor. Labour’s Elsie Blundell resigned last month to focus on her new job as MP for Heywood and Middleton North.
Ian and Val Bayman, who were walking their granddaughter’s Cavapoo, Ronnie, told Manchester Evening News (MEN) that they believe a shift in political views, which has seen Nigel Farage‘s party enjoy a surge in popularity after it came second in a number of local seats in last year’s General Election, and won a council by-election in Tameside earlier this month, comes from divides in communities.
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Ian and Val Bayman says the community is divided (Image: LDRS)
Ian said: “To be honest. I think Starmer 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
The couple, who come from just down the road from the ward, voted Liberal Democrat at the last election, not because of their politics, but because their local councillor “gets the job done”, and supports people in the community when they need it.
Val feels if Labour want to bring back voters, they should start by simply delivering for local people again.
Patricia, known to many as Pat, wants to see a changing of the guard. She said: “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.”
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Kim Williams has ‘never really had any reason to complain’ about the council (Image: LDRS)
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She added: “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.”
Not all are wanting change. Kim Williams, 39, works in a care home locally. She 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.”
Six candidates representing Labour, the Conservatives, the Lib Dems, Workers, Reform, the Greens – as well as an independent candidate – are in the running for the council seat.
