Rochdale by-election: The Greater Manchester borough voting four times in 2024 and what's at stake

The major political moment of 2024 in the UK is set to be the General Election, the first in almost five years. Millions of people across the country will take to the polls, including across Greater Manchester. 

This year will also be one for local and mayoral elections, both of which are also taking place across the region. With many in Greater Manchester making trips to polling stations in the coming months, residents in one corner of the region will be doing it more than any others. 

Rochdale is set to have a lot of political activity taking place within its borders this year. The by-election is first on the agenda, but this will be just one of four votes taking place in the area through 2024- with three taking place in the space of just over two months and two in one day. 

A member of parliament, borough councillors and a say in the Greater Manchester mayoral election are all on the agenda for the people of Rochdale. Ahead of a busy year of politics, we’ve taken a look at what is at stake and the key dates of each.

By-election

The first key date for Rochdale residents is February 29. This is when they will take to the polls for the Rochdale by-election. They will be voting on who will replace Sir Tony Lloyd as their Member of Parliament following his sad death last year. 

Rochdale Borough Council election

A third of the seats on Rochdale Borough Council will be contested in 2024. This election will take place on Thursday May 2, with the remaining seats set to be contested in either 2026 or 2027. All 60 seats of the council were contested in 2022. 

Mayor of Greater Manchester election

On the same day as the Rochdale Borough Council elections, May 2, everyone in the region (including across Rochdale) will get to vote on their next mayor. Labour’s Andy Bunrham is the incumbent, having held the position since 2017. 

The first Mayor of Greater Manchester, in an interim role, was Sir Tony Lloyd. This was one of his many positions in Greater Manchester politics including his role as Rochdale MP. 

General Election 2024 

The final trip to the polls for the people of Rochdale in 2024 hasn’t yet been given a date. However, it will be taking place in the second half of the year. The General Election will see the Rochdale seat voted on for potentially two times in less than 10 months, depending on when the date is finalised for. Whoever wins the by-election will likely be hoping to hold onto the seat they won on February 29. 

Clare Poole, elections manager at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “These are opportunities to make your voice heard and have a say about who represents you on issues that directly affect day-to-day life. Check the details on your letter to make sure you’re registered correctly, particularly if you’ve recently moved, especially to a new-build property, or if you’re approaching your 18th birthday. Research shows movers are less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time.”