Labour's shortlist of candidates for the Rochdale by-election includes Azhar Ali, Lancashire County Council Labour leader, Paul Waugh, Chief Political Commentator at the I newspaper, and Nazia Rehman, Wigan councillor. Waugh, a journalist, has expressed his commitment to the political arena and is on leave from his journalistic duties. His decision to stand for the Labour candidacy has garnered both support and criticism from various individuals. Waugh has addressed Labour members in Rochdale, emphasizing the need for an immediate ceasefire on Gaza. The shortlisting has sparked discussions about the candidates' priorities, particularly in relation to local issues such as the report into grooming gangs in Rochdale.
Nick Timothy asserts that for the 3 shortlisted candidates to stand for Labour in Rochdale, @CllrAzharAli @NaziaRehman6 @paulwaugh, “Gaza is more pressing than the report into grooming gangs in their own town” What do the Rochdale candidates say about this? @ManchesterMill https://t.co/D3wJjymmzE
"It's worth a go, lad." Journalist Paul Waugh on why he’s standing to become MP for his hometown Rochdale. We were at university together and started in journalism at the same time; I'm full of respect for him for having the courage to take this leap. https://t.co/H8ek5QrZOs
🔴ROCHDALE: Paul Waugh's message to Labour members in Rochdale ahead of the Labour selection on Saturday. Note he talks of "an immediate ceasefire on Gaza". https://t.co/d0m9ZdpN5x
Paul is one of the most talented journalists and most decent people I have known and worked with. His huge work ethic, empathy and his fierce intellect would make him a superb #Rochdale MP https://t.co/PIdPs9mWhA
I admire @paulwaugh for seeking to be Labour candidate in Rochdale..it’s a big, brave call ..and the right one..politics being a nobler and more significant vocation than journalism.
🚨 NEW: Political journalist Paul Waugh is on the three-person shortlist to be Rochdale’s Labour candidate “I can’t stand by to see the Tories ruin the NHS, having already trashed the economy and Britain’s global reputation” https://t.co/Y0SWeORxjO
Too true. @paulwaugh could and did bore for Britain about Rochdale. Decent, cares, sharp and would be a dedicated MP. But for trying to abandon the noble trade of journalism for the dirty world of politics I shall pull his leg until one is longer than the other. https://t.co/93sPInhc9k
In light of last night’s Rochdale shortlist, @paulwaugh is obviously standing aside from his duties as i’s chief political commentator and on leave until the contest is concluded. He was asked to stand by activists after death last week of @tony4rochdale https://t.co/eaI4AGCEMn
EXCLUSIVE: Journalist Paul Waugh says "it’s time to stop being a spectator and start being a player" as he's put on three-person shortlist to be Labour's candidate in Rochdale by-election Here's his statement and the full story on @MENnewsdesk https://t.co/cGBxbpGfSz https://t.co/2EyXUNlGQf
NEW: Labour's shortlist of candidates for the Rochdale by-election: 🔴 Azhar Ali - Lancashire County Council Labour leader 🔴 Paul Waugh - Chief Political Commentator at the I newspaper 🔴 Nazia Rehman - Wigan councillor @MENnewsdesk