2010 United Kingdom government formation successful. Brown's image was further harmed when he privately described Gillian Duffy, a 65-year-old pensioner, as a "bigoted woman" after she raised the issue of benefits and immigration with him during a campaign trip to Rochdale, Greater Manchester. His remarks were recorded by a Sky News microphone he was still wearing as he was driven away from the visit, and were widely broadcast. Polls just before election day showed a slight swing from the Liberal Democrats back to Labour and the Conservatives, with most of final polls falling within one point of Conservatives 36%, Labour 28%, Liberal Democrats 27%. However,
2012 Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council election Farnell and Allen Brett. It also produced Rochdale's youngest ever councillor in Liam O'Rourke. These results also led to the resignation of local Liberal Democrat leader Wera Hobhouse. After the election, the composition of the council was: "In 2008 Peter Evans stood in this ward as a Liberal Democrat." "In 2008, Mohammad Sharif stood in this ward for the Liberal Democrats." "Maureen Rowbothan stood for the ward in 2008 as a Labour candidate." "Jean Ashworth stood for the ward in 2008 as a Liberal Democrat." 2012 Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council election The 2012 Rochdale Council election took place on 3