Voters all set to go to the polls

VOTERS go to the polls this week as the latest bitter battle to represent Rochdale in Westminster draws to a close.

Incumbent Simon Danczuk is fighting hard to retain the seat as an independent candidate, after being banned from standing for the Labour party a third time.

Mr Danczuk, first elected as Rochdale’s Labour MP in 2010, was told a month ago that he would not be allowed to represent the party this time around – in the midst of an ongoing suspension over claims he sexted a teenager.

In response to the decision he quit the party on May 9 with a blistering attack on Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership and announced he would be standing as an independent instead.

His decision ushered in a fiery battle with his old party - which is this time being represented by former police and crime commissioner Tony Lloyd.

Mr Lloyd will be hoping to emulate Mr Danczuk’s own victory as a Labour MP in 2015, when he secured a comfortable victory of more than 12,000 and nearly half the votes cast.

The seat is not seen as a key marginal in traditional terms, but due to the unique circumstances of the battle - including a campaign by Mr Danczuk aimed at highlighting his own record on child grooming, one that has also seen him launch vicious personal attacks on both Mr Lloyd and Jeremy Corbyn - some within Labour had initially been nervous of an upset, including the potential for him to split the party’s vote.

However insiders said the campaign and response from voters appears to have been positive.

Nevertheless other parties hope to capitalise on the disarray within Rochdale’s Labour party over the last few years, including the Liberal Democrats, who held the seat for many years until 2010.

Andy Kelly, Lib Dem group leader on Rochdale council, is standing for the second general election in a row, arguing the town needs a change of leadership.

Ukip, who ran Mr Danczuk a distant second in 2015, are standing candidate Chris Baksa on a platform of reversing defence and policing cuts while protecting the NHS ahead of foreign aid.

Councillor Jane Howard, who has represented Bamford on Rochdale council since last year, has been selected for the Conservatives.