Hello Middletonians, my name is Keeley O’Mara and I am proud to announce that I am standing as your candidate in North Middleton ward for the Middleton Independents Party.

Full statement

A little about me, well I grew up on Jubilee Road, Boarshaw. As a child I went to St Margaret’s Nursery on Stanycliffe Lane followed by St John Fishers RC Primary School and then onto Cardinal Langley RC School. Due to my love of farming, I went to Myerscough College to study Agriculture which was heavily influenced by grandparents from the family farm in Hopwood, some people might remember George Howarth from his milk round. From leaving college I have worked on the family farm which also gave me a much-loved appreciation of the outdoors and nature.

I am now living in Boarshaw with my husband and daughter, and together we are all heavily involved in the community with groups like Middleton in Bloom and Middleton Roundtable. The community interest was awakened in me when a national developer wanted to destroy our precious green lungs of Middleton. I was part of the committee trying to stop it but sadly we could not this raised more questions for me than answers. Especially when Middleton councillors voted one way, yet the Rochdale committee voted the opposite, it made me question are the people of Middleton listened to by Rochdale.

Fast forward a good few years, several township meetings and full council meetings attended later I have concluded that whilst occasionally we are listened to, we are not being heard. We used to have an environment, culture, and transport forum for residents to attend to raise concerns and get updates this has ceased since COVID-19. I would like to see this reinstated alongside ward PACT meetings so that residents can regularly meet with the police. These have become more pertinent since you only get thirty minutes at a Township meeting for an open forum where questions are cherry-picked by the township chair and vice chair.

Since I stood as a candidate in North Middleton in the all-outs there have been more restrictions on residents being allowed to have a voice, this needs to change. If you trust me with your vote in May I promise you that I will be your voice and I will make sure it's heard. I will not be silenced or gagged for giving an opinion that differs from the status quo, the status quo has changed people deserve to speak and be acknowledged.

North Middleton residents together we can make a difference but it requires us to vote. Only voting in the local election for a candidate who is not whipped to vote a certain way or tow the party line is the way forward.

For those residents who do not know me, I am always reporting issues from fly-tipping, graffiti, and potholes, and I even assisted people with children having difficulty at school, being your elected councillor will give me greater access to the relevant officers far quicker and make sure it gets done too. I am not going to promise you things that are outside a councillor’s remit like providing doctors’ appointments or increasing police in Middleton, that is down to the government contrary to some.

The one thing I want to bring to the residents of North Middleton is honesty, transparency, and approachability. I am not just a candidate for North Middleton, I am also a resident, so I experience the same potholes, and the same congestion and want better for this area.

If you trust me with your vote in May, I will work tirelessly to address your concerns and represent you!