A large group of men are running for the Rochdale seat (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
We’ve all been getting used to by-elections recently, with lots of chat about how much of an impact they’re having on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his government.
But even by those standards, today’s Rochdale by-election has generated a lot of discussion.
That’s down to a combination of several factors: the reason it’s being held, the circumstances in which it’s taking place, and the controversy surrounding the cast of candidates who are standing.
It seems likely that whatever result is announced tomorrow morning, plenty of headlines will follow.
So what can we expect from today’s election?
Why is there a by-election in Rochdale?
The by-election is being held following the death of the popular incumbent MP, Sir Tony Lloyd.
He was one of the longest-serving MPs in recent British history, sitting in parliament for a total of 36 years over two separate stretches.
The Labour politician represented Stretford between 1983 and 1997, when the constituency was abolished, then Manchester Central from 1997 to 2012.
In 2012, he stepped down to become Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner, but returned to replace suspended Labour MP Simon Danczuk (remember that name) in the Rochdale constituency at the 2017 election.
Sir Tony died from leukemia on January 17, aged 73.
Who are the Rochdale by-election candidates?
Labour were the favourites to retain the seat until Azhar Ali was dropped by the party (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Sir Tony Lloyd won the 2019 election in Rochdale for Labour with more than half of the vote and a healthy majority of 9,668.
So it may surprise you to learn Labour is not backing any candidate in today’s vote.
That’s because they dropped support for their chosen candidate, Lancashire County councillor Azhar Ali, after he was recorded saying Israel had ‘allowed’ the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas to take place.
In a serious blow to the party, the controversy erupted after nominations had closed, meaning they were unable to replace him as Labour’s candidate.
Mr Ali is one of 11 people running. So who else could Rochdale voters choose?
George Galloway
George Galloway has drawn controversy for his remarks on issues including the war in Ukraine, which he blames on NATO (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
The most recognisable face in the race is standing for a party that not many people will have heard of: The Workers Party of Britain.
Founded in 2019, the party is led by Mr Galloway.
He has described today’s poll as a ‘referendum on Gaza’, demonstrating the prominent role the Middle Eastern conflict has played throughout the campaign.
The 69-year-old, who is the bookies’ favourite to win in Rochdale, has a long history in parliament.
He was a Labour MP from 1987 until 2003, when he was dropped from the party over his vehement opposition to the Iraq War, and sat as an independent until joining the Respect party in 2004.
After a brief spell away from the Commons between 2010 and 2012, he lost his seat in the 2015 election.
Outside of politics, he is perhaps best known for his spell on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006, when he memorably pretended to be a cat and lapped imaginary milk from the cupped palms of actor Rula Lenska.
Simon Danczuk
Simon Danczuk is hoping to become Reform UK’s first MP (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Mr Danczuk is the second ex-Labour MP running for the Rochdale seat, not including the Labour candidate, who would not represent Labour if he wins.
Still following?
Elected as the MP for Rochdale in 2010, Mr Danczuk rose to prominence as one of Jeremy Corbyn’s most vocal critics in Labour following his election as leader in 2015.
But the following New Year’s Eve, he was expelled from the party over allegations he had sent sexually explicit text messages to a 17-year-old girl.
He has since joined right-wing party Reform UK, which was founded as the Brexit Party in 2018, and is campaigning on an anti-‘woke’ agenda.
Earlier this week, a man was arrested over an alleged death threat sent to Mr Danczuk in the form of a video message.
The by-election has focused national attention on Rochdale (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Guy Otten
Mr Otten, the candidate for the Greens, was dropped by his party just days after he was announced.
This was reportedly due to social media comments he made about the conflict in Gaza and the ‘Islamic religion’.
He has not taken part in any campaigning since losing that support.
Other candidates include Paul Ellison for the Conservatives, Iain Donaldson for the Liberal Democrats, and Ravin Rodent Subortna for the Official Monster Raving Loony Party.
Climate campaigner Rev Mark Coleman, Parents Against Grooming co-founder Billy Howarth and local businessmen David Anthony Tully and Michael Howarth are all mounting independent campaigns for the seat.
When can we expect a result in the Rochadale by-election?
Polling stations in Rochdale opened at 7am, and they will close tonight at 10pm.
We’re expecting to get a result early on Friday morning.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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