'I do two jobs but

Voters tell of struggles in town where Galloway is general election candidate

- JOSEPH TIMAN

ROCHDALE is at the bottom of a miserable league. That's according to the man running to be the town's MP again.

A week before the general election was called, George Galloway - who briefly served as Rochdale's MP after winning a by-election in February told the House of Commons of the hardship his constituents are facing.

He spoke of the high rates of deprivation, fuel poverty and ill-health in a debate on housing he dedicated to Awaab Ishak, who died aged two due to mould in a Freehold estate flat.

On the streets of Rochdale, the struggle is real. But, much like other places, faith in politicians fixing these problems is in short supply.

Stuart Hallworth, 40, has seen his rent rise sharply in recent years. He used to pay £400 a month but says he is now looking at £650. "As a single parent, that's a lot," he says

Stuart is not planning to vote at the upcoming election. He doubts it will make a difference.

"I don't believe any of them," he explains. "I think they're all as bad as each other."

Unlike Stuart, Kerry Bridge, 48, who lives in Newbold, will probably vote on July 4. But she hasn't decided who to back yet. Originally from Portsmouth, she moved to Rochdale five years ago and now works at a bookies and as a youth worker. But she is still struggling to pay the bills.

"I'm doing two jobs and I still find it hard," she says. "Electricity, fuel, car insurance. Nothing's cheap anymore."