Party leaders vow to eliminate discrimination from election campaign

The local leaders of all three main political parties have signed a cross-party election pledge aimed at promoting mutual respect and eliminating discrimination in the forthcoming election campaign.

Leader of the Labour Party, Councillor Colin Lambert, Leader of the Conservative Party, Councillor Ashley Dearnley and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, Councillor Andy Kelly added their names to the pledge, which sets out standards that all prospective candidates and their members must adhere to.

By signing it, party leaders have agreed to represent the interests of all constituents regardless of race, sex, colour, religion or any other discriminating factor and promote good race relations.

They promise to reject all forms of racial violence, harassment and unlawful discrimination and not publish or in any way endorse any material likely to generate hostility or division between people of different racial, national or religious groups.

The pledge will be on display for viewing outside the Council Chambers, in Rochdale Town Hall and local leaders of other parties will be offered the opportunity to add their name to the pledge.

The ‘All Candidate’ pledge will be available for viewing and signing from Monday 28 April at Rochdale Town Hall reception desk.