Rochdale (UK Parliament constituency)

Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1832 onwards

Rochdale

County constituency
for the House of Commons

Boundary of Rochdale in North West England

County| Greater Manchester
Electorate| 71,697 (2023)[1]
Major settlements| Rochdale, Littleborough, Wardle
Current constituency
Created| 1950
Member of Parliament| Paul Waugh (Labour Co-op)
Seats| One
1832–1950
Seats| One
Type of constituency| Borough constituency
Created from| Lancashire

Rochdale is a constituency, which has been represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom by Paul Waugh of Labour Co-op since 2024. Rochdale has elected one Member of Parliament (MP) in every general election since its creation in 1832.[a]

## Boundaries

[edit]

### Historic

[edit]

Map of 2010-2024 boundaries

As there were no township boundaries in 1832, the original constituency was defined as a circular area in a radius of three-quarters of a mile from the old market place in Rochdale. In 1868 the boundary was extended to include Wardleworth, Spotland, Wuerdle, Belfield, Newbold, Buersill, and Marland.[2]

1918–1950: The County Borough of Rochdale

1950–1983: As prior but with redrawn boundaries

1983–1997: The Borough of Rochdale wards of Balderstone, Brimrod and Deeplish, Castleton, Central and Falinge, Healey, Newbold, Norden and Bamford, Smallbridge and Wardleworth, and Spotland

1997–2010: The Borough of Rochdale wards of Balderstone, Brimrod and Deeplish, Central and Falinge, Healey, Littleborough, Newbold, Smallbridge and Wardleworth, Spotland, and Wardle

2010–2024: The Borough of Rochdale wards of Balderstone and Kirkholt, Central Rochdale, Healey, Kingsway, Littleborough Lakeside, Milkstone and Deeplish, Milnrow and Newhey, Smallbridge and Firgrove, Spotland and Falinge, and Wardle and West Littleborough

### Current

[edit]

Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the constituency was reduced in size to bring the electorate within the permitted range by transferring the Spotland and Falinge ward (as it existed on 1 December 2020) to the new constituency of Heywood and Middleton North.[3]

## History

[edit]

Rochdale in Lancashire, boundaries used 1974–83

This section needs to be updated. The reason given is: Not updated since 2015. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (October 2024)

|

Rochdale was one of the constituencies created by the Reform Act 1832, and was a Labour Party/Liberal Democrat marginal for many years, although it was held by the Conservatives for part of the 1950s, until a 1958 by-election.

It was held for two decades by Cyril Smith, first of the Liberal Party and then of the Liberal Democrats. He won a by-election in 1972, taking the seat from Labour, and held it until his retirement in 1992. After Smith's death it emerged that he had been a serial child abuser.[4]

Since Smith's retirement, contests have been tighter. The Liberal Democrats held the seat with Liz Lynne at the 1992 general election, but lost to Labour's Lorna Fitzsimons at the 1997 election. However, the Liberal Democrats regained the seat at the 2005 election, with Paul Rowen.

In 2010, the town was brought to national attention when the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown was caught on a tape recording describing a local woman, Gillian Duffy, as a "bigot" after having a conversation with her while campaigning (later described as Bigotgate by the UK media). Despite this unfavourable publicity, Labour still managed to narrowly win the seat from the Liberal Democrats; and in 2015 achieved their highest majority in the seat's history, with the Liberal Democrats falling to fourth place.

## Constituency profile

[edit]

The constituency is one of two covering the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale. It contains most of the town of Rochdale itself as well as Littleborough, Wardle and some of the surrounding rural area.

For the 2010 UK general election, the seat gained the villages of Milnrow and Newhey from Oldham East and Saddleworth and lost the areas of Sudden, Marland, and part of Norden to Heywood and Middleton, a 19.16% boundary change. Those changes made the seat a notional Labour victory in the Rallings and Thrasher figures[5] which were used by the Press Association for determining gains, losses and swings. However, other predictions by political commentator Martin Baxter[6][failed verification] showed the seat maintaining a narrow Lib Dem majority. The Times Guide to the House of Commons 2010 estimated that had the seat been fought on these boundaries in 2005, Labour would have won the seat with approximately 40.9% of the vote to the Liberal Democrats' 40.7%.[7]

### Demographics

[edit]

The population was recorded as 114,386 in 2021. The ethnic composition was 62.7% White, 29.6% Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh, and 3.1% Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African.[8] The religious composition was 38.1% Christian, 30.5% Muslim, and 0.9% other. 26.0% claimed no religious affiliation.[8]

## Members of Parliament

[edit]

Election | Member
(†=died in office)[9] | Party

|
|

| 1832 | John Fenton | Whig[10][11][12]
| 1835 | John Entwistle | Conservative[10]
| 1837 | John Fenton | Whig[10][11][12]
| 1841 | William Sharman Crawford | Radical[13][14][15][16][17]
1852 | Edward Miall
| 1857 | Alexander Ramsay | Conservative[18][19][20]
| 1859 | Richard Cobden | Liberal
1865 | Thomas Potter
| 1895 | Clement Royds | Conservative
| 1906 | Gordon Harvey | Liberal
| 1918 | Alfred Law | Unionist
| 1922 | Stanley Burgess | Labour
| 1923 | Ramsay Muir | Liberal
| 1924 | William Kelly | Labour
| 1931 | Thomas Jesson | Conservative
| 1935 | William Kelly | Labour
1940 by-election | Hyacinth Morgan
1950 | Joseph Hale
| 1951 | Wentworth Schofield †  | Conservative
| 1958 by-election | Jack McCann †  | Labour
| 1972 by-election | Cyril Smith | Liberal
| 1987 | Liberal Democrats
1992 | Liz Lynne
| 1997 | Lorna Fitzsimons | Labour
| 2005 | Paul Rowen | Liberal Democrats
| 2010 | Simon Danczuk | Labour
| 2015 | Independent[21]
| 2017 | Tony Lloyd †  | Labour
| 2024 by-election | George Galloway | Workers Party
| 2024 | Paul Waugh | Labour Co-op

## Results

[edit]

### Elections in the 2020s

[edit]

General election 2024: Rochdale[22] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour Co-op | Paul Waugh | 13,027  | 32.8  | −18.0
| Workers Party | George Galloway | 11,587  | 29.2  | +29.2
| Reform UK | Michael Howard  | 6,773  | 17.1  | +8.9
| Conservative | Paul Ellison  | 4,273  | 10.8  | −20.8
| Liberal Democrats | Andy Kelly  | 2,816  | 7.1  | −0.4
| Green | Martyn Savin  | 1,212  | 3.1  | +1.2
Majority | 1,440  | 3.6  | –15.7
Turnout | 39,688  | 55.7  | –3.0
Registered electors | 71,264  |  |
| Labour Co-op hold | Swing |  |
2024 Rochdale by-election[23] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Workers Party | George Galloway | 12,335  | 39.7  | N/A
| Independent | David Tully  | 6,638  | 21.3  | N/A
| Conservative | Paul Ellison  | 3,731  | 12.0  | −19.2
| Labour[b] | Azhar Ali  | 2,402  | 7.7  | −43.9
| Liberal Democrats | Iain Donaldson  | 2,164  | 7.0  | ±0.0
| Reform UK | Simon Danczuk | 1,968  | 6.3  | −1.9
| Independent | William Howarth  | 523  | 1.7  | N/A
| Independent | Mark Coleman  | 455  | 1.5  | N/A
| Green[c] | Guy Otten  | 436  | 1.4  | −0.7
| Independent | Michael Howarth  | 246  | 0.8  | N/A
| Monster Raving Loony | Ravin Rodent Subortna  | 209  | 0.7  | N/A
Majority | 5,697  | 18.4  | N/A
Turnout | 31,107  | 39.7  | −20.4
Registered electors |  |  |
| Workers Party gain from Labour | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 2010s

[edit]

2019 notional result[26]

Party  | Vote  | %
| Labour | 21,379 | 50.8
| Conservative | 13,270 | 31.6
| Brexit Party | 3,451 | 8.2
| Liberal Democrats | 3,168 | 7.5
| Green | 790 | 1.9
Turnout | 42,058  | 58.7
Electorate | 71,697
General election 2019: Rochdale[27] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Tony Lloyd | 24,475  | 51.6  | –6.4
| Conservative | Atifa Shah  | 14,807  | 31.2  | +2.8
| Brexit Party | Chris Green  | 3,867  | 8.2  | N/A
| Liberal Democrats | Andy Kelly  | 3,312  | 7.0  | –1.0
| Green | Sarah Croke  | 986  | 2.1  | N/A
Majority | 9,668  | 20.4  | –9.2
Turnout | 47,447  | 60.1  | –4.0
| Labour hold | Swing | –4.6  |
General election 2017: Rochdale[28] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Tony Lloyd | 29,035  | 58.0  | +11.9
| Conservative | Jane Howard  | 14,216  | 28.4  | +11.4
| Liberal Democrats | Andy Kelly  | 4,027  | 8.0  | –2.3
| UKIP | Christopher Baksa  | 1,641  | 3.3  | –15.5
| Independent | Simon Danczuk | 883  | 1.8  | N/A
| Greater Manchester Homeless Voice  | Andy Littlewood  | 242  | 0.5  | N/A
Majority | 14,819  | 29.6  | +2.3
Turnout | 50,044  | 64.1  | +6.7
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
General election 2015: Rochdale[29][30] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Simon Danczuk | 20,961  | 46.1  | +9.7
| UKIP | Mohammed Masud  | 8,519  | 18.8  | +14.4
| Conservative | Azi Ahmed  | 7,742  | 17.0  | –1.1
| Liberal Democrats | Andy Kelly  | 4,667  | 10.3  | –24.1
| Rochdale First  | Farooq Ahmed  | 1,535  | 3.4  | N/A
| Green | Mark Hollinrake  | 1,382  | 3.0  | N/A
| National Front | Kevin Bryan | 433  | 1.0  | –3.9
| Islam Zinda Baad Platform  | Mohammed Salim  | 191  | 0.4  | –0.8
Majority | 12,442  | 27.3  | +25.3
Turnout | 45,430  | 57.4  | –0.7
| Labour hold | Swing | –2.3  |
General election 2010: Rochdale[31][32] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Labour | Simon Danczuk | 16,699  | 36.4
| Liberal Democrats | Paul Rowen | 15,810  | 34.4
| Conservative | Mudasir Dean  | 8,305  | 18.1
| National Front | Chris Jackson  | 2,236  | 4.9
| UKIP | Colin Denby  | 1,999  | 4.4
| Islam Zinda Baad Platform  | Mohammed Salim  | 545  | 1.2
| Independent | John Whitehead  | 313  | 0.7
Majority  | 889  | 2.0
Turnout | 45,907  | 58.1
| Labour win (new boundaries)

The Times Guide to the House of Commons 2010 reported that based on the notional 2005 result on the new boundaries the Labour vote had fallen by 4.5% and the Liberal Democrat vote had fallen by 6.1%, while the Conservative voteshare increased by 7.6%.[7]

### Elections in the 2000s

[edit]

General election 2005: Rochdale[33] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal Democrats | Paul Rowen | 16,787  | 41.1  | +6.2
| Labour | Lorna Fitzsimons | 16,345  | 40.0  | –9.2
| Conservative | Khalid Hussain  | 4,270  | 10.5  | –2.9
| BNP | Derek Adams  | 1,773  | 4.3  | N/A
| UKIP | John Whittaker | 499  | 1.2  | N/A
| Green | Samir Chatterjee  | 448  | 1.1  | –0.7
| Islam Zinda Baad Platform  | Mohammed Salim  | 361  | 0.9  | N/A
| Veritas | Carl Faulkner  | 353  | 0.9  | N/A
Majority | 444  | 1.1  | N/A
Turnout | 40,834  | 58.4  | +1.7
| Liberal Democrats gain from Labour | Swing | +7.7  |
General election 2001: Rochdale[34] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Lorna Fitzsimons | 19,406  | 49.2  | –0.2
| Liberal Democrats | Paul Rowen | 13,751  | 34.9  | –5.1
| Conservative | Elaina Cohen  | 5,274  | 13.4  | +4.6
| Green | Nick Harvey  | 728  | 1.8  | N/A
| Independent | Mohammed Salim  | 253  | 0.6  | +0.2
Majority | 5,655  | 14.3  | +4.9
Turnout | 39,412  | 56.7  | –13.3
| Labour hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1990s

[edit]

General election 1997: Rochdale[35][36] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Lorna Fitzsimons | 23,758  | 49.4  |
| Liberal Democrats | Liz Lynne | 19,213  | 40.0  |
| Conservative | Mervyn Turnberg  | 4,237  | 8.8  |
| BNP | Gary Bergin  | 653  | 1.4  |
| Islam Zinda Baad Platform  | Mohammed Salim  | 221  | 0.5  |
Majority | 4,545  | 9.4  |
Turnout | 48,082  | 70.0  |
| Labour win (new boundaries)
General election 1992: Rochdale[37][38] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal Democrats | Liz Lynne | 22,776  | 42.8  | –0.6
| Labour | David Williams  | 20,937  | 39.4  | +1.4
| Conservative | Duncan Goldie-Scott  | 8,626  | 16.2  | –2.4
| BNP | Ken Henderson  | 620  | 1.2  | N/A
| Natural Law | Vincent J. Lucker  | 221  | 0.4  | N/A
Majority | 1,839  | 3.4  | –2.0
Turnout | 53,180  | 76.5  | +1.9
| Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | –1.0  |

### Elections in the 1980s

[edit]

General election 1987: Rochdale[39] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Cyril Smith | 22,245  | 43.4  | –2.7
| Labour | David Williams  | 19,466  | 38.0  | +7.9
| Conservative | Clive Condie  | 9,561  | 18.6  | –3.8
Majority | 2,779  | 5.4  | –10.6
Turnout | 51,272  | 74.6  | +3.8
| Liberal hold | Swing | –5.3  |
General election 1983: Rochdale[40] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Liberal | Cyril Smith | 21,858  | 46.1
| Labour | Valerie Broom  | 14,271  | 30.1
| Conservative | Alan Fearn  | 10,616  | 22.4
| National Front | Peter Barker  | 463  | 1.0
| Unemployed Party  | Peter Courtney  | 204  | 0.4
Majority  | 7,587  | 16.0
Turnout | 47,412  | 70.8
| Liberal win (new boundaries)

### Elections in the 1970s

[edit]

General election 1979: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Cyril Smith | 22,172  | 45.03  | +2.37
| Labour | J Connell  | 16,878  | 34.28  | −2.53
| Conservative | I S Picton  | 9,494  | 19.28  | +2.85
| National Front | S Merrick  | 690  | 1.40  | 2.69
Majority | 5,295  | 10.75  | +4.90
Turnout | 49,234  | 73.66  | +3.38
| Liberal hold | Swing |  |
General election October 1974: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Cyril Smith | 20,092  | 42.66  | −6.45
| Labour | J Connell  | 17,339  | 36.81  | +5
| Conservative | R J de B Young  | 7,740  | 16.43  | +2.85
| National Front | M W Sellors  | 1,927  | 4.09  | +0.43
Majority | 2,753  | 5.85  | −11.45
Turnout | 47,098  | 70.28  | −7.07
| Liberal hold | Swing |  |
General election February 1974: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Cyril Smith | 25,266  | 49.11  | +6.82
| Labour | L F Cunliffe  | 16,367  | 31.81  | +0.69
| Conservative | L Green  | 7,933  | 15.42  | −2.24
| National Front | M W Sellors  | 1,885  | 3.66  | "N/A"
Majority | 8,899  | 17.3  | +6.13
Turnout | 49,234  | 73.66  | +3.38
| Liberal hold | Swing |  |
1972 Rochdale by-election Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Cyril Smith | 19,296  | 42.29  | +11.89
| Labour | L F Cunliffe  | 14,203  | 31.12  | −10.45
| Conservative | D A Tripper  | 8,060  | 17.66  | −10.37
| Independent | J Merrick  | 4,074  | 8.93  | "N/A"
Majority | 5,093  | 11.17  | 0
Turnout | 45,633  | 69.06  | −3.71
| Liberal gain from Labour | Swing | +11.17  |
General election 1970: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Jack McCann | 19,247  | 41.57  | −10.82
| Liberal | Cyril Smith  | 14,076  | 30.40  | +11.13
| Conservative | M Andrew  | 12,978  | 28.03  | −0.30
Majority | 5,171  | 11.17  | −12.89
Turnout | 46,301  | 72.77  | −6.19
| Labour hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1960s

[edit]

General election 1966: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Jack McCann | 24,481  | 52.39  | +5.7
| Conservative | Edward G.L. Collins  | 13,239  | 28.33  | +3.96
| Liberal | Nancy Seear | 9,004  | 19.27  | –9.67
Majority | 11,242  | 24.06  |
Turnout | 46,724  | 78.96  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
General election 1964: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Jack McCann | 22,927  | 46.69  | +5.22
| Liberal | Thomas Lyrian Hobday  | 14,212  | 28.94  | –7.29
| Conservative | Tom Normanton | 11,968  | 24.37  | +2.07
Majority | 8,715  | 17.75  |
Turnout | 49,107  | 82.26  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1950s

[edit]

General election 1959: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Jack McCann | 21,689  | 41.47  | –6.98
| Liberal | Ludovic Kennedy | 18,949  | 36.23  | N/A
| Conservative | Tom Normanton | 11,665  | 22.30  | –29.25
Majority | 2,740  | 5.24  |
Turnout | 52,303  | 85.47  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
1958 Rochdale by-election Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Jack McCann | 22,133  | 44.66  | −3.79
| Liberal | Ludovic Kennedy | 17,603  | 35.52  | N/A
| Conservative | John E. Parkinson  | 9,827  | 19.83  | −31.72
Majority | 4,530  | 9.14  | N/A
Turnout | 49,563  |  |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +14.0  |
General election 1955: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Wentworth Schofield | 26,518  | 51.55  | +1.14
| Labour | Jack McCann | 24,928  | 48.45  | −1.14
Majority | 1,590  | 3.10  | +2.28
Turnout | 51,446  | 82.8  | −2.9
| Conservative hold | Swing | +1.1  |
General election 1951: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Wentworth Schofield | 27,797  | 50.41  |
| Labour | Joseph Hale | 27,343  | 49.59  |
Majority | 454  | 0.82  | N/A
Turnout | 55,140  | 85.66  |
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing |  |
General election 1950: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Labour | Joseph Hale | 25,484  | 44.9
| Conservative | Wentworth Schofield | 21,208  | 37.4
| Liberal | Roger Fulford | 10,042  | 17.7
Majority  | 4,276  | 7.5
Turnout | 56,734  | 87.90
| Labour win (new boundaries)

### Elections in the 1940s

[edit]

General election 1945: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Hyacinth Morgan | 22,047  | 44.89  |
| Conservative | Edward May Nicol  | 16,852  | 34.31  |
| Liberal | Charles Gordon Cummins Harvey  | 10,211  | 20.79  |
Majority | 5,195  | 10.58  |
Turnout | 49,110  | 80.68  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
1940 Rochdale by-election Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Hyacinth Morgan | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Labour hold

### Elections in the 1930s

[edit]

General election 1935: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | William Kelly | 22,281  | 41.20  | +8.61
| Conservative | W. Gordon Murray  | 20,486  | 37.88  | –7.18
| Liberal | Elliott Dodds | 11,311  | 20.92  | –1.43
Majority | 1,795  | 3.32  | N/A
Turnout | 54,078  | 84.69  |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing |  |
General election 1931: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Thomas Jesson | 25,346  | 45.06  |
| Labour | William Kelly | 18,329  | 32.59  |
| Liberal | Elliott Dodds | 12,572  | 22.35  |
Majority | 7,017  | 12.48  | N/A
Turnout | 56,247  | 88.79  |
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1920s

[edit]

General election 1929: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | William Kelly | 22,060  | 40.2  | +6.4
| Liberal | Ramsay Muir | 16,957  | 30.8  | –2.7
| Unionist | John Haslam | 15,962  | 29.0  | –3.7
Majority | 5,103  | 9.4  | +9.1
Turnout | 54,979  | 87.6  | –2.7
| Labour hold | Swing | +4.5  |
General election 1924: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | William Kelly | 14,609  | 33.8  | +1.2
| Liberal | Ramsay Muir | 14,492  | 33.5  | –2.9
| Unionist | Thomas Jesson | 14,112  | 32.7  | +1.7
Majority | 117  | 0.3  | N/A
Turnout | 43,213  | 90.3  | +2.5
| Labour gain from Liberal | Swing |  |
General election 1923: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Ramsay Muir | 15,087  | 36.4  | +7.2
| Labour | Stanley Burgess | 13,525  | 32.6  | –6.2
| Unionist | Nicholas Cockshutt  | 12,845  | 31.0  | –1.0
Majority | 1,562  | 3.8  | N/A
Turnout | 41,457  | 87.8  | +0.7
| Liberal gain from Labour | Swing |  |
General election 1922: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Stanley Burgess | 15,774  | 38.8  | +22.3
| Unionist | Alfred Law | 13,006  | 32.0  | –15.6
| Liberal | Ramsay Muir | 11,894  | 29.2  | +7.7
Majority | 2,768  | 6.8  | N/A
Turnout | 40,674  | 87.1  | +22.6
| Labour gain from Unionist | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1910s

[edit]

Phillipps General election 1918: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

C | Unionist | Alfred Law | 14,299 | 47.6 | +6.7
| Liberal | Vivian Phillipps | 6,452  | 21.5  | –23.1
| Labour | R. H. Tawney | 4,956  | 16.5  | N/A
| National Democratic | John Joseph Terrett  | 2,358  | 7.8  | N/A
| National | John Fitzgerald Jones  | 1,992  | 6.6  | N/A
Majority | 7,847  | 26.1  | N/A
Turnout | 30,057  | 64.5  | –23.5
| Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing |  |
C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.

A General Election was due to take place by the end of 1915. By the summer of 1914, the following candidates had been adopted to contest that election. Due to the outbreak of war, the election never took place.

* British Socialist Party: Tom Kennedy[41]

General election December 1910: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Gordon Harvey | 5,850  | 44.6  | –4.2
| Conservative | Nicholas Cockshutt  | 5,373  | 40.9  | +2.3
| Social Democratic Federation | Dan Irving | 1,901  | 14.5  | +1.9
Majority | 477  | 3.7  | –6.5
Turnout | 11,124  | 88.0  | –5.5
| Liberal hold | Swing |  |
General election January 1910: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Gordon Harvey | 6,809  | 48.8  | +2.9
| Conservative | William Boyd Boyd-Carpenter  | 5,381  | 38.6  | +2.0
| Social Democratic Federation | Dan Irving | 1,755  | 12.6  | N/A
Majority | 1,428  | 10.2  | –1.1
Turnout | 13,945  | 93.5  | +0.5
| Liberal hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1900s

[edit]

General election 1906: Rochdale[42] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Gordon Harvey | 5,912  | 45.9  | 0.0
| Conservative | Clement Royds | 4,449  | 34.6  | −11.5
| Independent Labour | S. G. Hobson | 2,506  | 19.5  | N/A
Majority | 1,463  | 11.3  | N/A
Turnout | 12,867  | 93.0  | +5.9
Registered electors | 13,831  |  |
| Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | +5.8  |
General election 1900: Rochdale[42] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Clement Royds | 5,204  | 46.1  | 0.0
| Liberal | Gordon Harvey | 5,185  | 45.9  | +4.0
| Labour Repr. Cmte. | C. Allen Clarke | 901  | 8.0  | –4.0
Majority | 19  | 0.2  | –4.0
Turnout | 11,290  | 87.1  | –1.1
Registered electors | 12,968  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | −2.0  |

### Elections in the 1890s

[edit]

General election 1895: Rochdale[42] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Clement Royds | 4,781  | 46.1  | +1.0
| Liberal | William Leatham Bright | 4,359  | 41.9  | –13.0
| Ind. Labour Party | George Barnes | 1,251  | 12.0  | N/A
Majority | 422  | 4.2  | N/A
Turnout | 10,391  | 88.2  | +2.4
Registered electors | 11,782  |  |
| Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +7.0  |
General election 1892: Rochdale[42] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Thomas Potter | 5,460  | 54.9  | –2.7
| Conservative | Clement Royds | 4,480  | 45.1  | +2.7
Majority | 980  | 9.8  | –5.4
Turnout | 9,940  | 85.8  | +9.8
Registered electors | 11,584  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | −2.7  |

### Elections in the 1880s

[edit]

General election 1886: Rochdale  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Thomas Potter | 4,738  | 57.6  | +1.9
| Conservative | John Marriott | 3,481  | 42.4  | –1.9
Majority | 1,257  | 15.2  | +3.8
Turnout | 9,969  | 76.0  | –16.2
Registered electors | 10,808  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | +1.9  |
General election 1885: Rochdale[42] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Thomas Potter | 5,552  | 55.7  | −4.5
| Conservative | Elliot Lees  | 4,417  | 44.3  | +4.5
Majority | 1,135  | 11.4  | −9.0
Turnout | 9,969  | 92.2  | +8.7
Registered electors | 10,808  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | −4.5  |
General election 1880: Rochdale[43] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Thomas Potter | 5,614  | 60.2  | +7.3
| Conservative | Richard Wilson Gamble[44] | 3,716  | 39.8  | −7.3
Majority | 1,898  | 20.4  | +14.6
Turnout | 9,330  | 83.5  | +1.4
Registered electors | 11,172  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | +7.3  |

### Elections in the 1870s

[edit]

General election 1874: Rochdale[43] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Thomas Potter | 4,498  | 52.9  | −4.8
| Conservative | Richard Wilson Gamble[44] | 3,998  | 47.1  | +4.8
Majority | 500  | 5.8  | −9.6
Turnout | 8,496  | 82.1  | −1.2
Registered electors | 10,352  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | −4.8  |

### Elections in the 1860s

[edit]

General election 1868: Rochdale[43] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Thomas Potter | 4,455  | 57.7  | N/A
| Conservative | William Whitworth Schofield[45] | 3,270  | 42.3  | N/A
Majority | 1,185  | 15.4  | N/A
Turnout | 7,725  | 83.2  | N/A
Registered electors | 9,280  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | N/A |
General election 1865: Rochdale[43] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Thomas Potter | Unopposed
Registered electors | 1,358  |  |
| Liberal hold
By-election, 15 April 1865: Rochdale[43] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Thomas Potter | 646  | 56.6  | N/A
| Conservative | William Brett | 496  | 43.4  | N/A
Majority | 150  | 13.2  | N/A
Turnout | 1,142  | 84.1  | N/A
Registered electors | 1,358  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | N/A |

* Caused by Cobden's death.

### Elections in the 1850s

[edit]

General election 1859: Rochdale[43] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Richard Cobden | Unopposed
Registered electors | 1,340  |  |
| Liberal gain from Conservative
General election 1857: Rochdale[43] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Alexander Ramsay | 532  | 52.2  | +10.7
| Radical | Edward Miall | 488  | 47.8  | −10.7
Majority | 44  | 4.4  | N/A
Turnout | 1,020  | 81.3  | +3.4
Registered electors | 1,255  |  |
| Conservative gain from Radical | Swing | +10.7  |
General election 1852: Rochdale[43] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Radical | Edward Miall | 529  | 58.5  | N/A
| Conservative | Alexander Ramsay | 375  | 41.5  | N/A
Majority | 154  | 17.0  | N/A
Turnout | 904  | 77.9  | N/A
Registered electors | 1,160  |  |
| Radical hold | Swing | N/A |

### Elections in the 1840s

[edit]

General election 1847: Rochdale[43] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Radical | William Sharman Crawford | Unopposed
Registered electors | 1,026  |  |
| Radical hold
General election 1841: Rochdale[10][43] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Radical | William Sharman Crawford | 399  | 54.4  | N/A
| Conservative | James Fenton[46] | 335  | 45.6  | −2.7
Majority | 64  | 8.8  | N/A
Turnout | 734  | 72.2  | −12.2
Registered electors | 1,016  |  |
| Radical gain from Whig | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1830s

[edit]

General election 1837: Rochdale[10][43] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | John Fenton (MP for Rochdale)  | 374  | 51.7  | +4.8
| Conservative | Alexander Ramsay | 349  | 48.3  | −4.8
Majority | 25  | 3.4  | N/A
Turnout | 723  | 84.4  | −8.8
Registered electors | 857  |  |
| Whig gain from Conservative | Swing | +4.8  |
By-election, 19 April 1837: Rochdale[10][43] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | John Fenton (MP for Rochdale)  | 383  | 53.0  | +6.1
| Conservative | Clement Royds  | 339  | 47.0  | −6.1
Majority | 44  | 6.0  | N/A
Turnout | 722  | 84.2  | −9.0
Registered electors | 857  |  |
| Whig gain from Conservative | Swing | +6.1  |

* Caused by Entwistle's death

General election 1835: Rochdale[10][43] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | John Entwistle (politician)  | 369  | 53.1  | +14.2
| Whig | John Fenton (MP for Rochdale)  | 326  | 46.9  | +3.1
Majority | 43  | 6.2  | N/A
Turnout | 695  | 93.2  | +1.2
Registered electors | 746  |  |
| Conservative gain from Whig | Swing | +5.6  |
General election 1832: Rochdale[10][43] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Whig | John Fenton (MP for Rochdale)  | 277  | 43.8
| Tory | John Entwistle (politician)  | 246  | 38.9
| Radical | James Taylor  | 109  | 17.2
Majority  | 31  | 4.9
Turnout | 632  | 92.0
Registered electors | 687  |
| Whig win (new seat)

## See also

[edit]

* List of parliamentary constituencies in Greater Manchester
* 1940 Rochdale by-election
* 1958 Rochdale by-election
* 1972 Rochdale by-election

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ A county constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer). As with all constituencies, the constituency elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election at least every five years.
2. ^ Ali was suspended from the Labour Party on 12 February 2024, after nominations closed on 2 February, so he was still identified as the Labour Party candidate on the ballot paper.[24]
3. ^ The Green Party withdrew Otten's endorsement on 7 February 2024, after nominations closed on 2 February, so he was still identified as the Green Party candidate on the ballot paper.[25]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – North West". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
2. ^ Brownbill, J; Farrer, William (1911). "A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5". Victoria County History. pp. 187–201.
3. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 5 North West region.
4. ^ "Sir Cyril Smith: Former MP sexually abused boys, police say". BBC News. 27 November 2012.
5. ^ "Press Association Notional 2005 election results". Archived from the original on 15 May 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
6. ^ "Electoral Calculus".
7. ^ a b Hurst, Greg, ed. (2010). The Times Guide to the House of Commons 2010. London: Times Books. p. 244\. ISBN 978-0-00-735158-9.
8. ^ a b "Build a custom area profile - Census 2021, ONS".
9. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "R" (part 1)
10. ^ a b c d e f g h Stooks Smith, Henry (1845). The Parliaments of England, from 1st George I to the Present Time Vol II: Oxfordshire to Wales Inclusive. London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co. p. 203. Retrieved 29 November 2018 - via Google Books.
11. ^ a b Churton, Edward (1838). The Assembled Commons or Parliamentary Biographer: 1838. p. 89. Retrieved 29 November 2018 - via Google Books.
12. ^ a b Mosse, Richard Bartholomew (1838). The Parliamentary Guide: a concise history of the Members of both Houses, etc. p. 163. Retrieved 29 November 2018 - via Google Books.
13. ^ "William Sharman Crawford (1781–1861; Irish politician)". Manuscripts and Special Collections. University of Nottingham. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
14. ^ Navickas, Katrina (2016). Protest and the Politics of Space and Place, 1789–1848. Manchester: Manchester University Press. p. 172\. ISBN 978-0-7190-9705-8. Retrieved 1 July 2018 - via Google Books.
15. ^ Newton, JS (1975). The political career of Edward Miall, editor of the nonconformist and founder of the liberation society (PDF) (PhD). Durham University. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
16. ^ Brennan, Michael Joseph (2013). Civic and municipal leadership: a study of three northern towns between 1832 and 1867 (PDF) (PhD). University of Leeds. p. 60. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
17. ^ "Edward Miall: Obituary". Bradford Observer. 30 April 1881. Retrieved 30 May 2020 - via University of Alberta.
18. ^ Fisher, David R. (2009). "RAMSAY, Sir Alexander, 2nd bt. (1785–1852), of Balmain, Fasque, Kincardine". The History of Parliament. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
19. ^ "General Election". Saunders's News-Letter. 28 March 1857. p. 1. Retrieved 1 July 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.
20. ^ "Election News". Stroud Journal. 14 March 1857. p. 6. Retrieved 1 July 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.
21. ^ "Labour's Simon Danczuk suspended over 'inappropriate behaviour'". BBC News. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
22. ^ "Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll". Rochdale Borough Council. 7 June 2024. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
23. ^ Rumbelow, Steve (2 February 2024). "Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll: Rochdale Constituency". Rochdale Borough Council. Riverside, Rochdale, Lancs. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
24. ^ Belger, Tom (13 February 2024). "Azhar Ali: Who is Labour's former Rochdale candidate, what did he say and what's the latest?". LabourList. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
25. ^ Lythgoe, George (7 February 2024). "Rochdale by-election: Green Party candidate no longer endorsed by party just weeks before voters go to the polls". rochdaleonline.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
26. ^ "Notional results for a UK general election on 12 December 2019". Rallings & Thrasher, Professor David Denver (Scotland), Nicholas Whyte (NI) for Sky News, PA, BBC News and ITV News. UK Parliament. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
27. ^ "Statement of persons nominated" (PDF). Rochdale Borough Council. 14 November 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 November 2019.
28. ^ Steve Rumbelow (11 May 2017). "Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll – Rochdale Constituency" (PDF). Rochdale Borough Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
29. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
30. ^ "Rochdale". BBC News. 7 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
31. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
32. ^ "Constituency | Rochdale". Election 2010. BBC News. 6 May 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
33. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
34. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
35. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
36. ^ "Rochdale". ElectionWeb Project. Cognitive Computing. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
37. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
38. ^ "UK General Election results April 1992". Richard Kimber's Political Science Resources. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
39. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
40. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
41. ^ "British Socialist Party". Manchester Guardian. 13 April 1914.
42. ^ a b c d e Craig, FWS, ed. (1974). British Parliamentary Election Results: 1885–1918. London: Macmillan Press. ISBN 9781349022984.
43. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Craig, FWS, ed. (1977). British Parliamentary Election Results 1832–1885 (e-book) (1st ed.). London: Macmillan Press. doi:10.1007/978-1-349-02349-3. hdl:2027/mdp.39015032111430. ISBN 978-1-349-02349-3. Retrieved 30 May 2020 - via Springer Link.
44. ^ a b "Polling To-Day". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 31 March 1880. p. 6. Retrieved 10 December 2017 - via British Newspaper Archive.
45. ^ "Rochdale Observer". 4 November 1868. p. 4. Retrieved 17 March 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.
46. ^ "Rochdale Election". Morning Advertiser. 2 July 1841. p. 2. Retrieved 29 November 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.

## Sources

[edit]

* Election results, 1950–1997 Politics Science Resources (Keele University)
* FWS Craig, British Parliamentary Election Results 1918–1949
* FWS Craig, British Parliamentary Election Results 1885–1918

## External links

[edit]

* Rochdale UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 1997 – April 2010) at MapIt UK
* Rochdale UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK
* Rochdale UK Parliament constituency (boundaries from June 2024) at MapIt UK

* v
* t
* e

Constituencies in North West England (73)

Labour (62)|

* Altrincham and Sale West
* Ashton-under-Lyne
* Barrow and Furness
* Birkenhead
* Blackley and Middleton South
* Blackpool North and Fleetwood
* Blackpool South
* Bolton North East
* Bolton South and Walkden
* Bolton West
* Bootle
* Bury North
* Bury South
* Carlisle
* Chester North and Neston
* Congleton
* Crewe and Nantwich
* Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
* Heywood and Middleton North
* Hyndburn
* Knowsley
* Lancaster and Wyre
* Leigh and Atherton
* Liverpool Garston
* Liverpool Riverside
* Liverpool Walton
* Liverpool Wavertree
* Liverpool West Derby
* Macclesfield
* Makerfield
* Manchester Central
* Manchester Rusholme
* Manchester Withington
* Mid Cheshire
* Morecambe and Lunesdale
* Oldham East and Saddleworth
* Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
* Pendle and Clitheroe
* Penrith and Solway
* Preston
* Ribble Valley
* Rochdale
* Rossendale and Darwen
* Salford
* Sefton Central
* South Ribble
* Southport
* St Helens North
* St Helens South and Whiston
* Stalybridge and Hyde
* Stockport
* Stretford and Urmston
* Wallasey
* Warrington North
* Warrington South
* West Lancashire
* Whitehaven and Workington
* Widnes and Halewood
* Wigan
* Wirral West
* Worsley and Eccles
* Wythenshawe and Sale East

Independent (3)|

* Blackburn
* Burnley
* Gorton and Denton

Conservative (3)|

* Chester South and Eddisbury
* Fylde
* Tatton

Liberal Democrats (3)|

* Cheadle
* Hazel Grove
* Westmorland and Lonsdale

Reform UK (1)|

* Runcorn and Helsby

Speaker (1)|

* Chorley

Authority control databases: People |

* UK Parliament

|

53°37′N 2°10′W﻿ / ﻿53.61°N 2.16°W﻿ / 53.61; -2.16
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template