How people in Hyde feel going into local elections

Last year Reform UK won an election in Greater Manchester for the first time ever. Allan Hopwood romped to victory in the Longdendale council by-election, formerly held by Labour.

The rural council ward sits in the far reaches of Hyde, but as local elections loom, people in the Tameside town don’t believe Nigel Farage will get it all his own way. While many accept the party could take more council seats in Tameside come May 7, they don’t believe it will be one way traffic for them.

Polling day is now officially one month away. So the Local Democracy Reporting Service visited a sunny Hyde town centre to get a glimpse of the political landscape. At least one man enjoying the early April sunshine is keen to see change after decades of Labour dominance.

“I’m not that keen on the council,” Keith Waites, 71, said. “I don’t think they’re efficient. The Labour vote isn’t solid, because they say Angela Rayner could lose her Ashton seat at the next general election. They’ve been in for years, so they’ve possibly got complacent.

Keith Waites, 71, walking through Hyde.

“I think Labour will be squeezed by Greens and Reform. I would vote for Reform because I feel like there is a shake up required. The council has been Labour too long.

“Whatever people say, local elections tend to reflect the state of the party in power. People naturally take to punishing the party in government.”

Kath Brookes, sitting on a bench just a few metres down from Keith, pointed out that she believes people in Hyde are sick of the status quo. The 68-year-old from Newton, said: “Hyde does not get anything. You come to Hyde and it’s all charity shops and takeaways. No one comes here anymore, they just pass by.

Kath Brookes, 68, out shopping in Hyde.

“We are left behind, it’s a disgrace. Down Newton way, people all feel like this.

“The council replaced the outdoor market with those parasols that all broke. They’ve put these big plant pots with benches out instead – which people say look like Bill and Ben the flower pot men.

“They couldn’t even look after the Christmas tree when it fell down in 2023. I won’t vote for any of them. I feel the investment goes to Denton, Ashton and Stalybridge. I’m not bothering, it’s the first time I’ve not voted.”

Not everyone was in agreement that the status quo needs to change. Some credited the Labour-controlled Tameside council with doing a great job. Colin Lewis, 81, from Hattersley said: “I think Labour are doing well at the moment. I’ll be voting for them again.

Colin Lewis, 81, from Hattersley.

“They seem to be getting stuff done such as the waste collection. I’ve always been a Labour voter.

“Despite all the political issues, as long as the normal services are done I’m happy. So I’m happy for more of the same.”

Bin collections, street cleaning and dealing with fly-tipping was at the top of many people’s agenda in Hyde. The town centre was enjoying the first bit of sunshine in weeks, with many people out and about or basking in the yellow glow.

Just as Denise Reeve and her pal Patricia Cullen were sunning themselves, they yelped as a rat scurried along Market Street, right in front of them.

Denise Reeve (Left) and Patricia Cullen.

Coincidentally, this unexpected vermin appearance occurred just as they explained how they wanted to see those in power push for better street cleaning services.

Denise said: “Bin services are good and we can’t complain. Those day-to-day services – they get it done.

“I want someone who will do something for the community though. I used to always vote Labour, but they’ve not done anything in the last couple of years.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if there was an anti-Labour vote. I don’t like fly-tipping, or vermin that just randomly run across the street. So street cleaning would be key for me.”

Patricia, 69, added: “I want the core services sorted like bins and street cleaning. Dog poo is a problem, it’s creeping back in again.

“I stood in some recently, it was covered up with leaves and I stood in it. So people should be fined for not picking up as it’s not fair on responsible dog owners. It’s disgusting.”

There is expected to be a crunch vote in Tameside this time around, with a mathematical possibility of Labour losing overall control of the council – although this is unlikely. This scenario would require Labour to lose almost all 19 of the wards available when locals go to the polls on May 7.