Labour councillors have been left ‘flabbergasted’ after a former colleague announced a surprise return to Rochdale’s political scene - as a Tory candidate. John Hartley wore the red rosette while representing Littleborough Lakeside for nine years - only standing down at last year’s local elections to take ‘a few years break’.
But he has shocked - and angered - his one-time allies by declaring he will stand as a Conservative in the ward in May, after just one year away. Furious over the move, they have accused him of trading his Labour principles and opting for the Tories as ‘they wouldn’t expect him to work as hard’.
However, the decision has delighted Coun John Taylor, leader of the Conservative group, who believes his experience will again make him a ‘real asset’ to the area. “John is known to some of us as “Mr. Littleborough” as a result of his relentless work helping the people across his former ward,” he said in a statement.
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“His reputation is well earned and he was universally respected across the council when he was previously elected. His ten years’ experience means he can hit the ground running as an effective elected member of the council from day one.
“He will put people above politics and focus his time on representing his ward without political directives forcing him to spend valuable time in other parts of the borough. That is exactly what I want him to do and more importantly I believe that is precisely what the people of Littleborough want, too.”
