Former Labour MP switches to Nigel Farage's Reform party for upcoming byelection

01 February 2024 , 20:12

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Simon Danczuk is the first famous politician to switch to the Reform party (Image: Sean Hansford Manchester Evening)

Former Labour MP Simon Danczuk is standing as the candidate for Nigel Farage's Reform Party in the Rochdale by-election at the end of February.

He is the first famous politician to switch to the party, which was originally founded as the Brexit Party by ex-Ukip leader Mr Farage. It is led by Richard Tice.

Mr Danczuk, 57, who was the Labour MP for Rochdale from 2010 until 2017, was suspended from the party in 2015 after sending explicit messages to a 17 year-old girl. He was found not to have broken the law but was blocked from standing in the 2017 general election. He apologised for the texting scandal, admitting it was inappropriate and said: “There is no fool like an old fool”.

Announcing his bid for the Rochdale by-election, Mr Danczuk told The Sun: “The Labour Party is just focused on the North London view of things now. They have gone from work to woke. I was traditional Labour. It meant standing up for people who were working, getting people off benefits into work, reducing illegal immigration. Where is the Labour Party on all that now?”

Mr Danczuk married his new wife, beauty therapist Claudine, 28, in a lavish summer bash in Rwanda last year. He was previously married to His Karen, who shot to fame as the selfie queen for her revealing snaps.

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The Rochdale by-election was triggered following the death of Sir Tony Lloyd, who died after a battle with leukaemia last month. He held the seat for Labour at the 2019 election with a 9,668 majority over the Conservatives.

The Rochdale MP died peacefully at home after leaving hospital last week to spend his final days with his family. He announced that he had been receiving chemotherapy for blood cancer but the illness had "transformed into an aggressive and untreatable form of leukaemia".

His family said in a statement: "We are absolutely devastated to announce the death of Sir Tony Lloyd MP, our beloved Joe', 'Dad' and 'Grandad'. He died peacefully this morning surrounded by his family, as was his wish. He was working until a few days before his death as his passion was helping others. He devoted his life to serving and making a difference to the lives of those he met including his constituents, colleagues, friends, and family."

Sophie Huskisson