Rochdale, a hotspot for Britain’s predominantly Muslim, Pakistani-heritage “grooming” gangs, comprised of pedophiles drugging, raping, pimping, and—occasionally—killing mostly white working-class victims, has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025 and 2026 by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, of the far-left Labour Party.
The award was announced in the House of Commons by Paul Waugh, the Labour Member of Parliament (MP) for Rochdale, and welcomed by Leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell on behalf of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer‘s Labour government. “It’s got a fantastic cultural heritage,” Powell said of Rochdale.
Along with Rotherham, Rochdale is the most infamous rape gang epicenter in Britain, being one of the first locations where the scandal emerged into full view. Thousands of girls were abused by the gangs across the country over several decades, with the authorities, including police and child protective services, turning a blind eye to them due to a combination of contempt for the victims and fear of being accused of racism by the perpetrators. However, until the beginning of 2025, no public officials or former public officials were charged with misconduct in public office over any of the scandals, despite multiple official inquiries finding “institutional” failings.
Rochdale’s ‘Town of Culture’ status is not the first slap in the face to rape gang victims, with Rotherham previously being shortlisted for a ‘Social Worker of the Year’ award, despite the town’s social workers being heavily implicated in grooming gang failures.
WATCH:
So delighted that Rochdale has today been announced as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture 2025/26
Well done to all involved + a big thanks to @AndyBurnhamGM for his strong support.
Can’t wait for the family arts festival, Rochdale Poet Laureate and Young Poet Laureate + more. pic.twitter.com/o8tkMsEuhN
— Paul Waugh MP (@paulwaugh) February 27, 2025