Labour left ‘flabbergasted’ as veteran councillor declares he is making a surprise comeback - with the Tories
Labour councillors have been left ‘flabbergasted’ after a former colleague announced a surprise return to Rochdale’s political scene - as a Tory candidate. John Hartley wore the red rosette while representing Littleborough Lakeside for nine years - only standing down at last year’s local elections to take ‘a few years break’.But he has shocked - and angered - his one-time allies by declaring he will stand as a Conservative in the ward in May, after just one year away. Furious over the move, they have accused him of trading his Labour principles and opting for the Tories as ‘they wouldn’t expect him to work as hard’.