Key dates as by-election details officially confirmed

THE next MP for Rochdale will be decided on February 29 after the notice of election was officially confirmed by the council.

This means that locals have just over three weeks to decide which candidate they want to represent them in Parliament. The election was triggered following the death of Sir Tony Lloyd last month.

The 73-year-old Labour MP, who held several political posts in Greater Manchester over the last 45 years, had previously revealed he was suffering from an ‘aggressive and untreatable form of leukaemia’.

The writ was issued for the election on Monday, January 29 which means that it must take place between 21 and 27 working days from that date. The deadline for candidates to confirm if they are standing is on Friday, February 2 - with the list to be published later that day.

Lancashire County Council’s Labour leader Azhar Ali will stand for the red rosettes, it was confirmed at the weekend.

The former Labour and Respect Party MP George Galloway, leader of

Workers Party of Great Britain has announced his intention to stand. The Reverend Mark Coleman, a long-time climate campaigner and Just Stop Oil supporter, has also put his hat in the ring alongside fellow Independent

Billy Howarth, the founder of Parents Against Grooming UK.

Guy Otten is also believed to be standing under the bracket of the Green Party.

The Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives are yet to confirm their candidate for the election.

Key dates/deadlines for voters to be aware of:

●●TUESDAY, February 13: Applications to register to vote deadline at midnight

●●WEDNESDAY, February 14: Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes and amendments or cancellations of proxy votes must be submitted before 5pm

●●WEDNESDAY, February 21: Applications for a Voter Authority Certificate or Anonymous Elector’s Document as well as new applications to vote by proxy must be submitted before 5pm

●●THURSDAY, February 29: Applications to vote by emergency proxy must be submitted before 5pm

These applications can be made online or reach the Electoral Registration Office by the specified deadline. The address listed on the council website is: Electoral Registration Officer, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale,

OL16 1XU.

For enquiries or applications contact the elections team on 0300 303 0345 or email elections@rochdale.gov.uk.