Our Campaigns - Race Detail Page



New User Account

"A collaborative political resource."

UK Parliament - Rochdale

RACE DETAILS

Parents

> United Kingdom > England > North West > North West > Rochdale

Office

Parliament

Type

General Election

Filing Deadline

April 19, 2005 - 12:00pm

Polls Open

May 05, 2005 - 01:00am

Polls Close

May 05, 2005 - 05:00pm

Term Start

May 17, 2005 - 12:00pm

Term End

May 17, 2010 - 11:00am

Contributor

Wishful Thinking

Last Modified

Wishful Thinking June 22, 2005 11:25pm

Data Sources

[Link]

Description

Labour first won Rochdale in 1922 but, with the exception of a Tory period from 1951-8, this has been that rare thing - a Labour/Liberal (Democrat) marginal. Even rarer is that it's one of a pair - its mirror is neighbouring Oldham East and Saddleworth. The larger-than-life Liberal, Cyril Smith, won this seat in a 1972 by-election and held it until he retired in 1992. Rather against expectations his successor Liz Lynne held on but was defeated five years later by former NUS President, Labour's Lorna Fitzsimons. She managed to increase her majority to 5,655 in 2001. Rochdale lies to the north east of Manchester adjacent to West Yorkshire and is a borough in its own right. The M62 passes through the constituency so there are many distribution companies here. This is the birthplace of the Co-operative Movement (the Rochdale Pioneers) and its headquarters so it is not surprising that 20% of the working population is employed in the wholesale and retail sector. Rochdale was also the birthplace of Gracie Fields.