Deputy triumphs at local elections as Labour candidate in Bury’s Pilkington Park seat

A Jewish Labour candidate, who represents the Whitefield Hebrew Congregation, Manchester, on the Board of Deputies, has secured one of the most eye-catching results in Thursday’s local elections.

Michael Rubinstein recalled the “good values” both his refugee parents had taught him as he delivered his victory speech in Bury’s Pilkington Park seat, after he triumphed over local former Conservative Group leader Nick Jones with a 380 vote majority.

Pilkington Park, where nearly 23 per cent of the population are Jewish, had previously been a Conservative stronghold having previously elected only two Labour councillors since 2002.

Across Bury, where the local Tory Group has been dogged with issues around antisemitism amongst several candidates since the 2019 general election, Labour increased its number of seats from 29 to 31 in Thursday’s elections.

In the local towns of Whitefield and Prestwich, home to the largest Jewish communities outside of London, Labour now has 17 out of 18 councillors.

In the Unsworth ward, where Jewish councillor Nathan Boroda was elected last time around, candidate Tahir Rafiq secured a 862 vote majority.

After the Pilkington Park result was announced, Rubinstein said:”I would like to remember my parents who came to England as refugees in 1939 and 1945, who taught me good values, attitudes and to value all people equally.
“I know that tonight they would be proud.”

Reflecting on the results, Bury’s Conservatives leader, Cllr Russell Bernstein, who is himself Jewish and was not contesting for a seat himself, said: “We set our ourselves five targets to defend five seats, we’ve done four of them.

“Obviously very, very disappointing that we’ve lost Nick Jones at Pilkington Park.”Nick was a particular good candidate and councillor, it’s sad that Nick’s gone. We’ve got to pay tribute to all the work that Nick has done for the Conservative party during his time.”