Liscard by-election to be decided today

A by-election is taking place in Liscard after Labour’s Sarah Spoor stood down last month saying she was struggling to balance her council role with her job and family life.

Ms Spoor’s resignation is important, as it leaves Labour with just 29 of Wirral’s 66 councillors, far short of the majority it had until 2019.

If Labour fails to hold onto the seat tomorrow night, it will further reduce the party’s grip on the council and help opposition parties to strike down its plans.

After a tough night in May’s local elections. Labour lost three seats to the Green Party in the east of the borough despite winning Rock Ferry.

The party also failed to defeat the Conservatives in the marginal ward of Pensby and Thingwall, meaning Labour will be desperate to hold a seat it has won at every election since 2012.

In May’s local elections, Labour’s candidate won with 57% of the vote, far ahead of the Conservatives on 26%, the Green Party on 8%, the Liberal Democrats on 7% and Reform UK on 2%.

Given these numbers Labour may be expected to have a comfortable night, but by-elections often throw up strange results and the party has lost seats in which it held big majorities recently, including Bebington to the Green Party in May.

As the poll moves closer, here is what each candidate had to say about the campaign.

Jane Owens, the Conservative candidate

Conservatives

Jane Owens, Tory candidate for Liscard, focused on plans to bring in more car parking charges across Wirral.

Ms Owens said: “Residents and small businesses want to see our town recover not just from the effects of the pandemic, but also from decades of neglect by the Town Hall. Higher parking charges will put that recovery at risk.

“Instead of encouraging people to shop locally, residents are telling me that higher parking charges will encourage them to use out of town supermarkets instead. That’s not good for the environment, for the local economy or the livelihoods of the people who work here.

“People are seeing this by-election as their opportunity to have their say on Labour’s planned increases, and that includes people who have voted Labour in previous elections.

“Even Labour Party members have told us they believe the Labour Party has lost its way and they don’t know what it stands for anymore.

“Above all, and regardless of party politics, people just want their councillors to listen to them, act on their concerns and report back. At the moment, many people don’t feel that is happening.”

“That’s why this by-election is so important for Liscard and Egremont – do people want things to change or do they want things to stay as they are, with a Labour-led council that is so focused on Birkenhead that the rest of the borough, including Liscard and Egremont, are left behind.”

Daisy Kenny, the Labour candidate

Labour

Daisy Kenny, Labour’s candidate for the seat, said: “This is the area I grew up in and all my family live here. I went to Liscard Primary School and the Oldershaw School, so to be selected as Labour’s candidate here really is a dream come true for me.

“I’ve been a Labour member for six years, and have campaigned on key local issues, as well as volunteering with a number of local organisations.

“I’ve been on the doorstep every evening, rain or shine, since I was selected – except for the nights England played – I realise no-one wanted to miss vital minutes of the game answering the door!”

She added: “For me, the main focus is on listening to concerns, and representing people here to make sure their views are heard. I’m keen to help local businesses and community groups apply for funding.

“I’m also keen to champion community groups such as The Voice of Egremont. They’ve given out thousands of food items, and have been a lifeline for many people, and run a community garden project which is brightening up the streets.

“I also support Liscard’s Labour councillors, who have called for a second public consultation over plans for cycle lanes, which obviously impacts us here in Liscard.

“I’m also backing the work they have done with key local sites such as Dominick House. Many residents have asked what will happen since the Jobcentre closed down.

“Liscard Labour councillors have been working closely with council officers and potential developers to ensure that the building is used for the benefit of Liscard residents and businesses.

“We are very clear that any development must fit in with the new vision for the town centre in terms of type, affordability and design quality.”

Sue Arrowsmith, the Lib Dem candidate

Liberal Democrats

Sue Arrowsmith, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Liscard, is calling for “ambitious” regeneration funding such as that which is going into Birkenhead.

Ms Arrowsmith said: “My message about putting the pride back into Liscard seems to be resonating with many residents.

“Someone who described herself as a life-long Labour voter pledged her support for me yesterday, saying ‘when I read your recent flyer for the Liberal Democrats, I agreed with everything on it.

“The striking issue was that Labour has been the party in charge of Liscard and under their watch it has indeed declined.

“Messages like this suggest many people feel it’s time for a change in Liscard. I would like to see the closed down shops converted into homes that local people desperately need.”

Ed Lamb the Green Party candidate

Green Party

Ed Lamb, the Green Party candidate for Liscard, said: “We have very much been pursuing the climate change message.

“The heat at the moment, plus the massive crises around the world with flooding and increased temperatures show how important this is.

“I also want to make the most of regeneration plans for Liscard. It’s a chance to make Liscard a place to visit and enjoy.

“First and foremost it’s about improving it for local residents. There’s a huge catchment of people who could benefit from improvements to the town centre.

“That would be my first priority.”

Gary Bergin, the For Britain candidate

For Britain Movement

Gary Bergin, the For Britain Movement candidate for Liscard, said: “For Britain is a relatively new party, formed by Anne Marie Waters, formerly of the Labour Party and UKIP.

“We are a patriotic party that brings people together from all backgrounds and walks of life. We don’t see ourselves as right wing or left wing but nationally we have sensible common sense policies over a whole range of issues.

“We believe everyone should be treated equally within the law regardless of race or religion and will always speak up regarding contentious issues of the day important to the future of our country.

“In Liscard, I want to give residents the option of voting for someone different instead of the same old parties with the same old problems and results.

“The proposed increased parking charges locally will damage local businesses already suffering from recent lockdown restrictions and I will fight against this.

“I also believe that anti-social behaviour in the area is a problem and is a blight on people’s lives and needs dealing with properly. I would work with the police and local residents to help solve these issues.”

Lynda Ellen Williams is also standing as an Independent, having previously stood in Liscard as a UKIP candidate.

The LDRS approached Ms Williams for comment, however she did not respond.