ELECTION PREVIEW: The lay of the land in Tameside ahead of the local elections

There are many towns, with different needs and identities, across Tameside. But, it appears, most of the borough is united in one thing – a desire for change in the status quo. 

As local elections loom, it would appear that nationally Reform UK and the Greens are politically in vogue. And it’s something keenly felt in Tameside, a borough dominated by Labour since it was created in the 1970s.

In times gone by, the vote on May 7 would have been a straight shoot-out between Labour and Conservatives. You could argue that was still the case two years ago when voters last went to the polls.

But the picture has broadened since, with Greens, Reform and Tameside Independent Group all nipping at the heels of the traditional big two.

Although it has been a tumultuous few years for Labout on Tameside, there are residents that feel they still get the basics right. But whether this will enough to prevent a shift in the political fabric of the borough is yet to be seen.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service hit the streets of Droylsden, Hyde and Stalybridge to get a lay of the land in the run up polling day on May 7.

The recurring trend across the borough was voters looking for a new political home.

Reform was the destination for Linda Tyman. Linda was a regular voter for the red rosettes until recently. The 77- year-old, said: “Normally when I vote locally I vote for the person and what they do for the town. Usually that’s Labour, but not this time – I’m going Reform. 

“I want someone who is going to make up their mind and say something, then do it. The Labour Party nationally said they would do things but they haven’t.

“Labour in Tameside have been in power so long, I think we need change. I feel like they think they’ll get in no matter what.”

She went on to say how her daughters and other young people are voting the same way. A customer services worker, she explained that young people are no longer looking to the traditional ‘big two’ of Labour and Conservative’. 

Susan Strongitharm said the same of her 19-year-old daughter – it’s all about Reform and Greens rather than Labour and Conservatives.

“Local elections aren’t a big thing for me,” Susan added. “I would vote for an independent candidate or Greens. I wouldn’t vote Labour.  I was a Labour supporter growing up. The number of wars they got us into made me leave them. That’s taken me away from them locally also.

“Stalybridge town team are trying to make improvements. I’m not sure what else they can do with the town centre. 

“They’re trying to get tourists in and have people eating out and going for drinks. They’ve got everything they need here.”

Immigration was a big talking point, with Reform hoovering up voters for that reason alone. Political apathy was apparent as well.

Julie Kent said: “I think politicians all piss in the same pot. No one is offering me anything. I think they need to look into immigration, benefit fraud and supporting the NHS. That might get me to get out and vote. 

“I think the working class feel downtrodden. I think voting is a waste of time and nothing is changing.”

Ironically, Julie was walking past all the groundworks of town centre £20m regeneration in Stalybridge. The opposite end of the scale in terms of investment are Hyde and Droylsden.

Both towns have masterplans in place for their individual regenerations, but there has been little movement in actual visual changes.

Kath Brookes believes people in Hyde are sick of the status quo. The 68-year-old, 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.

“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.”

In Droylsden, political apathy was less abundant, but more seemed to be turning away from Labour. Clive Stoddart, who lives on a boat in Droylsden marina, is fed up with the lack of change in the town where he grew up. 

The 66-year-old said: “I’m a Reform man, I have since they started because of their stance on immigration. I can see it impacts Droylsden. 

“Services are well overrun. So I think Reform will get a lot of support this time around.

“The place used to be buzzing. I don’t know what’s holding Droylsden back, I think the younger generation just accept it as it is because they’ve not seen what it was. 

“I think the community is broken now, I’m not sure what could get people interested in local politics now.”

Pointing at the half-derelict Concord Suite, Rev Colin Sanderson said: “This monstrosity needs to be sorted doesn’t it. They’re going to have to think about what to do with it. 

“I look at what the plans they have on the leaflets. The Labour man lives in the area and he seems okay. 

“I think bringing in Reform UK would be a mistake. A lot of their ideas are not okay.”

A number of people leaning towards Reform as a protest vote is a common theme across the borough. When the LDRS went to Hyde it felt like the same story on repeat, with many believing Labour had become complacent and needed a shock come election day.

The reds were rocked after Reform UK’s Allan Hopwood romped to victory in the Longdendale council by-election last year, formerly held by Labour. He was the first Reform politician to win an election in Greater Manchester – so Nigel Farage’s party have already proved they can swipe Labour seats in the city-region.

According to sources inside Tameside Reform they are confident of massive gains in the borough come May 7.

Keith Waites, 71, strolling through Market Street in Hyde said: “They’ve been in for years, so they’ve possibly got complacent.

“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.”

But it wasn’t a complete washout for Reform, with staunch Labour supporters still present in every town. A number of locals believe the council get the basics right and had faith in the regime’s regeneration vision for town centres.

Colin Lewis, 81, from Hattersley said: “I think Labour are doing well at the moment. I’ll be voting for them again.

“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 agendas. 

Just as Denise Reeve and her pal Patricia Cullen were sunning themselves in Hyde town centre. The pair wanted a coouncillor that would put community needs first, not their political party.

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

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.”

It will 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. A political party needs 29 seats out of 57 to have a majority, so Labour would need to lose 10 of their 14 seats and make no gains elsewhere to lose overall control of the council. 

Labour currently enjoy a majority with 38 out of 57 seats in the chamber. They are hoping to maintain that iron grip through promising to deliver on their major town centre regeneration projects in Ashton, Stalybridge and Denton.

Their political rivals are opting for a different tactic to appeal to voters. Reform, Conservatives, Greens and the Tameside Independent Group are all promising to focus on hyperlocal issues like protecting the green belt, filling more potholes, ousting fly-tipping, clearing up the streets and cracking down on HMOs.

The election will take place on Thursday, May 7th, from 7am until 10 pm. Voters are reminded they will need to take ID to polling stations in order to vote.