The five candidates in Longdendale by-election

Five people are battling to become Tameside’s newest councillor.

The by-election for the Longdendale seat was sparked following the dramatic resignation of ex-Labour councillor Jacqueline North.

The former deputy leader and finance boss said she quit as she was ‘fundamentally at odds’ with her own party.

Labour, Conservatives, Reform, Greens and one independent have all thrown their hats in the ring to take her place.

Polls will open on Thursday April, 10 between the hours of 7am and 10pm.

The names of those expecting to fight it out have now been confirmed:

Francesca Jo Coates (Labour)
Amanda Jane Hickling (Green)
Allan Hopwood (Reform)
Emma Leyla (Independent)
Kieron Wild (Conservative)

Here is what each candidate has to say to the Longdendale residents…

Francesca Jo Coates – Labour Party
Longdendale has a long-lasting place in my heart.  

My dad lived on Rushycroft; my little sister was born and baptized in Mottram Church. With its unique blend of communities in Hollingworth, Hattersley, Broadbottom and Mottram, Longdendale deserves another passionate champion. 

I hope I’m successful. I’d love the chance to strengthen local projects and community groups.

Education is the big one for me. I’ll work with other councillors to bring the education you and your kids demand in Longdendale’s nine schools. 
I’d like to improve local parks through community partnerships, giving sports groups a boost to serve Tameside’s Healthy strategy.

The bypass will bring benefits, but it isn’t the one we need. I’ll ensure clear communication during construction while lobbying for the right solution for us.

I’m Tameside born and bred. As a driven, local mum of a ten year old, I’ll serve you – dedicating myself. For Longdendale and for you.

Amanda Jane Hickling – Green Party

I live with my husband and two girls and run my own sewing business; teaching and making/altering clothes. I also host coffee mornings and fundraising events.

I am standing as a candidate because I believe we need to do local politics better, with a more balanced Council than we currently have. The Green Party is committed to protecting our precious green spaces from development.

We can address the housing and biodiversity crisis by bringing empty properties into use to supplement brownfield developments. There are over 500 long term empty homes in Tameside.

I believe in challenging the cost-of-living crisis with a focus on home insulation and home- grown energy from renewables. This is a win-win for hard working, low-income families, reducing bills while providing cheaper energy.

We now have four Green MPs and over 800 Councillors, proving just how electable we have

Become. The established parties have consistently failed us. If you want Green, vote Green.

Allan Hopwood – Reform Party

I have been a resident of Longdendale and Tameside since birth. attending Mottram School and raised on a farm in the area to an ethic of hard work, integrity, and accountability, with a strong sense of community. 

I strive to maintain those standards leading me to serve six years in the British army. Since then I have worked in farming, civil, mechanical engineering, fleet management and also some film and TV work.

I am not a career politician, just an average man who feels that the people who live and work in the community are being let down by an administration that has failed and become complacent. I aim to question this and make change on behalf of the residents of Longdendale and

Tameside.

I believe Reform is needed for our area and the country. It would be an honour to serve the community.

Emma Leyla – Independent candidate 

I believe that I can be the next Longdendale councillor because I not only speak out but create the change that we so desperately need. For too long Longdendale has been unrepresented but with me leading the way that will never happen.

I am from Hattersley and I work in the community, sitting as community group chair for Reach 4 Change.

Kieron Wild – Conservative Party

I have lived in Mottram for years, having grown up in Glossop. I love our community and want to make life better for residents by delivering on your priorities.

Under the last Conservative government, we secured £228m for the A57 link road—helping ease congestion. Yet Labour councillors oppose it while simultaneously backing thousands of new cars on Godley Green by building on the green belt.

Tameside’s Labour-run council lacks joined-up thinking. They’ve neglected our town centres, ranking 284th out of 292 councils in the Sunday Times Best Places to Live. 

After 45 years of Labour rule, our borough remains at the bottom of league tables, with wasted money and rising council tax.
We need a real plan to improve Longdendale—focusing on the basics while driving prosperity and higher standards.