2019 Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council election

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Main article: 2019 United Kingdom local elections

2019 Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council election
Coat of arms of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council.png
← 2018 2 May 2019 (2019-05-02) 2021 →
22 of 66 seats (One Third)
to Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council
34 seats needed for a majority
Turnout37.1% (Increase0.8%)
  First party Second party
 
Cllr Phil Davies portrait.jpg
Cllr Ian Lewis.jpg
Leader Phil Davies Ian Lewis
Party Labour Conservative
Leader since 29 March 2012 (2012-03-29)[1] 8 May 2017 (2017-05-08)[2]
Leader's seat Birkenhead
and
Tranmere
Wallasey
Last election 12 seats,
45.5% 		8 seats,
35.3%
Seats before 34 21
Seats won 10 8
Seats after 32 22
Seat change Decrease2 Increase1
Popular vote 31,778 28,467
Percentage 35.8% 32.1%
Swing Decrease9.7% Decrease3.2%
  Third party Fourth party
 
Cllr Pat Cleary2.jpg
Cllr Phil Gilchrist2.jpg
Leader Pat Cleary[n 1] Phil Gilchrist
Party Green Liberal Democrats
Leader since 22 May 2014 (2014-05-22)[3] 16 May 2013 (2013-05-16)[4]
Leader's seat Birkenhead
and
Tranmere
Eastham
Last election 1 seat,
8.6% 		2 seats,
10.2%
Seats before 1 5
Seats won 2 2
Seats after 3 6
Seat change Increase2 Increase1
Popular vote 14,803 10,283
Percentage 16.7% 11.6%
Swing Increase8.1% Increase1.4%
Wirral Council Election Results Map 2019.svg
Map of results of 2019 election
Leader of the Council before election

Phil Davies
Labour

Leader of the Council after election

Pat Hackett (Labour)
No Overall Control

The 2019 Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council election took place on 2 May 2019 to elect members of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council in England.[5] This election was held on the same day as other local elections.

After the election, the composition of the council was:

Party Seats   ±  
Labour 32 Decrease2
Conservative 22 Increase1
Liberal Democrat 6 Increase1
Green 3 Increase2
Independent 3 Decrease2
Source: The Guardian[6]

Election results[]

Overall election result[]

Overall result compared with 2018.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council election result, 2019
Party Candidates Votes
Stood Elected Gained Unseated Net % of total % No. Net %
  Labour 22 10 1 3 Decrease2 45.5 35.8 31,778 Decrease9.7
  Conservative 22 8 1 0 Increase1 36.4 32.1 28,467 Decrease3.2
  Green 21 2 2 0 Increase2 9.1 16.7 14,803 Increase8.1
  Liberal Democrats 16 2 1 0 Increase1 9.1 11.6 10,283 Increase1.4
  UKIP 7 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 2.5 2,182 Increase2.4
  Independent 2 0 0 0 Decrease2 0.0 1.4 1,203 Increase1.3

[7]

Results by constituency[]

Birkenhead constituency[]

Birkenhead consists of the wards of Bidston and St James, Birkenhead and Tranmere, Claughton, Oxton, Prenton and Rock Ferry.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council Election Results, 2019 (Birkenhead)
Party Candidates Votes
Stood Elected Gained Unseated Net % of total % No. Net %
  Labour 6 3 1 2 Decrease1 50.0 39.5 8,271 Decrease15.2
  Green 5 2 2 0 Increase2 33.3 29.8 6,239 Increase10.6
  Liberal Democrats 3 1 1 0 Increase1 16.7 15.1 3,167 Increase1.0
  Conservative 6 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 6.9 1,447 Decrease4.4
  Independent 2 0 0 2 Decrease2 0.0 5.7 1,203 N/A
  UKIP 2 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 3.0 631 N/A

[7]

Wallasey constituency[]

Wallasey consists of the wards of Leasowe and Moreton East, Liscard, Moreton West and Saughall Massie, New Brighton, Seacombe and Wallasey.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council Election Results, 2019 (Wallasey)
Party Candidates Votes
Stood Elected Gained Unseated Net % of total % No. Net %
  Labour 6 4 0 0 Steady 66.7 44.0 10,143 Decrease8.2
  Conservative 6 2 0 0 Steady 33.3 36.8 8,486 Decrease1.3
  Green 6 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 10.0 2,310 Increase5.2
  UKIP 4 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 5.2 1,202 Increase4.7
  Liberal Democrats 4 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 4.0 925 Steady

[7]

Wirral South constituency[]

Wirral South consists of the wards of Bebington, Bromborough, Clatterbridge, Eastham, and Heswall.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council Election Results, 2019 (Wirral South)
Party Candidates Votes
Stood Elected Gained Unseated Net % of total % No. Net %
  Conservative 5 2 0 0 Steady 40.0 35.8 7,757 Decrease3.7
  Labour 5 2 0 0 Steady 40.0 32.2 6,970 Decrease8.2
  Liberal Democrats 4 1 0 0 Steady 20.0 19.4 4,196 Increase3.7
  Green 5 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 12.6 2,726 Increase8.2

[7]

Wirral West constituency[]

Wirral West consists of the wards of Greasby, Frankby and Irby, Hoylake and Meols, Pensby and Thingwall, Upton, and West Kirby and Thurstaston.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council Election Results, 2019 (Wirral West)
Party Candidates Votes
Stood Elected Gained Unseated Net % of total % No. Net %
  Conservative 5 4 1 0 Increase1 80.0 46.8 10,777 Decrease3.2
  Labour 5 1 0 1 Decrease1 20.0 27.7 6,394 Decrease7.3
  Green 5 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 15.3 3,528 Increase8.5
  Liberal Democrats 5 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 8.7 1,995 Increase0.9
  UKIP 1 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 1.5 349 N/A

[7]

Changes in council composition[]

Prior to the election the composition of the council was:[8]

↓
34 21 5 1 5
Lab Con LD G Ind

After the election the composition of the council was:[6]

↓
32 22 6 3 3
Lab Con LD G I
Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council composition after the 2019 election

Votes summary[]

Popular vote
Labour
 
 35.8%
Conservative
 
 32.1%
Green
 
 16.7%
Liberal Democrats
 
 11.6%
UKIP
 
 2.5%
Independent
 
 1.4%

Seats summary[]

Wards won
Labour
 
 45.5%
Conservative
 
 36.4%
Green
 
 9.1%
Liberal Democrats
 
 9.1%
Others
 
 0.0%

Proportionality[]

The disproportionality of the 2019 election was 9.56 using the Gallagher Index.

Political Party Vote Share Seat Share Difference Difference²
Labour 35.82 45.45 9.63 92.74
Conservative 32.09 36.36 4.27 18.23
Green 16.69 9.09 7.60 57.76
Liberal Democrat 11.59 9.09 2.50 6.25
UKIP 2.46 0.00 2.46 6.05
Independent 1.36 0.00 1.36 1.85
TOTAL 182.88
TOTAL /2 91.44
√TOTAL /2 9.56

Parties and candidates[]

Contesting political parties[]

Party Leader Leader since Leader's ward Up for
re-election? 		Last election This election
% of
votes 		Wards Defending Prior Composition
Labour Phil Davies
(outgoing)[9] 		29 March 2012 Birkenhead and Tranmere Green tickY[n 2] 45.5% 12 12
34 / 66
Conservative Ian Lewis 8 May 2017 Wallasey Red XN 35.3% 7 7
21 / 66
Liberal Democrats Phil Gilchrist 16 May 2013 Eastham Red XN 10.2% 2 1
5 / 66
Green Pat Cleary[n 1] 22 May 2014 Birkenhead and Tranmere Red XN 8.6% 1 0
1 / 66
Independent Moira McLaughlin 22 February 2019[10] Rock Ferry Red XN 0.1% 0 2[n 3]
5 / 66

At the last regular election (2018), The Conservatives, Greens and Labour all ran a full slate of candidates with the Liberal Democrats contesting all but one of the seats available with other parties only putting forward a handful of candidates between them.

Candidate selection[]

The Green Party selected Steve Hayes on 13 June 2018 to contest the seat of Birkenhead and Tranmere after Pat Cleary was re-elected in May.[11]

On 17 September, incumbent Hoylake and Meols councillor of 20 years Gerry Ellis announced that he had been deselected by the Conservative Party.[12] Ellis appealed against the deselection, claiming he had been "unlawfully" discriminated against because of his age. In December, Alison Wright was announced as the new Conservative candidate.[13]

On 17 October, Phil Davies announced in a party email that he would stand down as Council Leader in May as well as not seeking re-election for his Birkenhead and Tranmere seat after serving on Wirral Council for over 27 years.[9]

Labour's selection process began in October with the left targeting seats such as Liscard, Bidston and St James, Pensby and Thingwall, Rock Ferry and New Brighton.[14] Both Ron Abbey (Leasowe and Moreton East) and Chris Meaden (Rock Ferry) were not selected. Bernie Mooney's re-selection for Liscard was questioned due to apparent irregularities in the selection process.[15][16] Her candidacy was upheld by the regional party.[17] However, on 27 February she was found to be in breach of Labour rules and subsequently removed from the panel of candidates by the Local Campaign Forum.[18]

TUSC suspended their electoral activity in November so did not put forward any candidates.[19]

In January, Meaden resigned the Labour whip and sought re-election as an independent.[20]

Target seats[]

Labour targeted Eastham and Wallasey and hoped to hold on to Pensby and Thingwall and Oxton, the latter of which was held by the Liberal Democrats in the subsequent two elections.[21][22]

The Conservatives' main target seat was Pensby and Thingwall, which they lost by just 23 votes in 2018.[23]

The Liberal Democrats hoped to regain a third councillor in Oxton, and the Greens were looking to take a second in Birkenhead and Tranmere and to make headways in Prenton.[24][25]

Campaign[]

On 26 March, Wirral Labour criticised the Conservatives for starting a Crowdfunder page for the election which had, so far, raised £20.[26] This came despite itself having used crowdfunding with Tory leader Ian Lewis saying that they [Labour] needed to "get with the programme".[citation needed]

Outgoing Oxton councillor Paul Doughty was suspended from Labour in April due to campaigning for the Independent Group.[27]

Representatives from all four parties in Council as well as the Independent Group appeared on Sunday Politics North West on 7 April talking about the issues facing the election campaign.[28] Particular attention was given to the Green belt as well as the alleged rifts in the local Labour Party.[citation needed]

Leasowe and Moreton East Conservative candidate Debbie Caplin was criticised by Labour for comments she made to The Observer in 2016 in which she described her hometown of Moreton as "horrible".[29] Tory Leader Ian Lewis defended her comments as being taken out of context stating that "Debbie, her family and her neighbours had been let down by years of Labour neglect".[citation needed]

Greenbelt leak controversy

On Monday 8 April, a report leaked by Pensby and Thingwall councillor Phil Brightmore claimed that 20 Green belt sites ranging from 2 to 1,705 houses had been "saved" from development.[30] However, the following day a statement released by Wirral Council dismissed that any sites had been removed from the list of [Green belt] sites identified for potential release.[citation needed]

Further leaked documents suggested that Labour were deciding on potential sites based on political preference.[31]

A full list of 21 "accepted" sites published on 23 April was described by Liberal Democrat planning spokesperson Stuart Kelly as a "shabby back-room carve up of green belt sites based on what was politically advantageous to Labour".[32]

Policies[]

A 12 April article in the Wirral Globe put forward each party's priorities for the election.[33]

Labour
  • Create 3,000 new jobs and apprenticeships through a regeneration programme
  • Invest £1 million in Liscard and New Ferry
  • Invest over £8 million on a highway improvements over the coming year
  • Replace every street light with energy efficient bulbs
  • Prioritise Brownfield sites for development
Conservative
  • Push for a Local plan to protect the Green belt and direct investment toward Liscard and New Ferry
  • Invest in highway maintenance and road safety
  • Create jobs and apprenticeships
  • Cut business rates and car parking charges
  • Curb executive pay
  • Scrap Wirral View
  • Scrap the Leader and cabinet model in favour of a Committee system
Liberal Democrats
  • "work together" to protect the Green belt as part of the creation of a Local plan
  • Scrap Wirral View
  • Curb executive pay
  • Cancel Hoylake Golf Resort
  • Support a People's Vote on Brexit
Green
  • Ensure Local plan is "fit for purpose" by reducing the number of empty properties, maximizing Brownfield potential and protecting the Green belt
  • Engage with developers to optimise "green potential" of Wirral Waters
  • Declare a Climate Emergency and cut Wirral's Carbon footprint
  • Scrap Wirral View
  • Curb executive pay
  • Cancel Hoylake Golf Resort
  • Scrap the Leader and cabinet model in favour of a Committee system

Retiring councillors[]

Ward Departing Councillor Party Ref.
Birkenhead and Tranmere Phil Davies[34] Labour [9]
Clatterbridge Adam Sykes[35] Conservative [36]
Hoylake and Meols Gerry Ellis[37] Conservative (deselected) [12]
Leasowe and Moreton East Ron Abbey[38] Labour (deselected) [15]
Liscard Bernie Mooney[39] Labour (deselected) [18]
Oxton Paul Doughty[40] Independent [41]
West Kirby and Thurstaston David Elderton[42] Conservative [43]

Aftermath[]

Labour lost control of the Council losing two seats to the Greens and one to the Conservatives.[44]

Green Councillors Cooke, Hayes and Cleary celebrate after election successes.

Labour councillors chose the new leader of their group Pat Hackett on 5 May.[45] Hackett was elected Council leader on 14 May with 31 votes compared to 25 for Conservative leader Ian Lewis and 10 abstentions.[46] The meeting also saw Labour lose their majority on every committee with chairs given to each opposition party.

Ward results[]

Results compared directly with the last local election in 2018.

Bebington[]

Bebington
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Jerry Williams[43] 2,210 50.1 Decrease9.5
Conservative Geoff Jones[47] 1,085 24.6 Decrease5.7
Liberal Democrats Amanda Crowfoot 696 15.8 Increase10.5
Green Rachel Heydon 424 9.6 Increase4.8
Majority 1,125 25.5 Decrease3.7
Registered electors 11,916
Turnout 4,459 37.4 Increase0.4
Rejected ballots 44 1.0 Increase0.8
Labour hold Swing Decrease1.9

[48][49]

Bidston and St James[]

Bidston and St James
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Brian Kenny[50] 1,572 67.7 Decrease8.0
Green James Parkhouse 353 15.2 Increase10.4
Conservative Vida Wilson[47] 245 10.6 Decrease1.7
Liberal Democrats Mike Parsons 151 6.5 Increase2.8
Majority 1,219 52.2 Decrease10.9
Registered electors 10,330
Turnout 2,368 22.9 Decrease1.1
Rejected ballots 47 2.0 Increase1.8
Labour hold Swing Decrease5.5

[51][52]

Birkenhead and Tranmere[]

Birkenhead and Tranmere
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Steve Hayes[53] 2,198 65.9 Increase16.2
Labour Bill McGenity[54] 1,058 31.7 Decrease16.1
Conservative June Cowin[47] 78 2.3 Decrease0.2
Majority 1,140 34.2 Increase32.3
Registered electors 10,109
Turnout 3,360 33.2 Decrease3.7
Rejected ballots 26 0.8 Increase0.6
Green gain from Labour Swing Increase16.2

[55][56]

Bromborough[]

Bromborough
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Joe Walsh[57] 1,608 48.0 Decrease13.1
Conservative Des Drury[58] 728 21.7 Decrease0.4
Liberal Democrats Vicky Downie[59] 570 17.0 Increase5.9
Green Sheena Hatton 446 13.3 Increase7.6
Majority 880 26.3 Decrease12.6
Registered electors 11,771
Turnout 3,390 28.8 Decrease0.8
Rejected ballots 38 1.1 Increase0.8
Labour hold Swing Decrease6.4

[60][61]

Clatterbridge[]

Clatterbridge
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Helen Cameron[62] 2,608 53.2 Decrease2.1
Labour Kieran Morgan[63] 1,428 29.1 Decrease4.8
Green Jim McGinley 865 17.6 Increase13.3
Majority 1,180 24.1 Increase2.6
Registered electors 11,401
Turnout 4,960 43.5 Increase0.5
Rejected ballots 59 1.2 Increase1.0
Conservative hold Swing Increase1.4

[64][65]

Claughton[]

Claughton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Stephen Foulkes[66] 1,596 45.8 Decrease13.1
Conservative Nicholas Hanna[47] 544 15.6 Decrease6.9
Green Liz Heydon 461 13.2 Increase6.7
Liberal Democrats Christopher Teggin 389 11.2 Decrease0.9
UKIP Alex Fay 386 11.1 New
Independent Mo Morgan 108 3.1 New
Majority 1,052 30.2 Decrease6.2
Registered electors 11,478
Turnout 3,502 30.5 Decrease0.2
Rejected ballots 18 0.5 Increase0.2
Labour hold Swing Decrease3.1

[67][68]

Eastham[]

Eastham
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Dave Mitchell[69] 2,286 55.0 Increase6.8
Labour Ruth Molyneux[70] 1,122 27.0 Decrease9.1
Conservative Phil Merry[47] 440 10.6 Decrease2.4
Green Harry Gorman 311 7.5 Increase4.8
Majority 1,164 28.0 Increase15.9
Registered electors 11,007
Turnout 4,192 38.1 Decrease0.7
Rejected ballots 33 0.8 Increase0.6
Liberal Democrats hold Swing Increase8.0

[71][72][73]

Greasby, Frankby and Irby[]

Greasby, Frankby and Irby
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Burgess-Joyce[74] 2,838 52.3 Decrease6.5
Labour Tim Watson[75] 958 17.6 Decrease6.3
Green Cathy Page 688 12.7 Increase9.3
Liberal Democrats Mark Forshaw 597 11.0 Decrease2.8
UKIP Jack Bland 349 6.4 New
Majority 1,880 34.6 Decrease0.3
Registered electors 11,481
Turnout 5,447 47.4 Increase2.3
Rejected ballots 17 0.3 Increase0.2
Conservative hold Swing Decrease0.1

[76][77]

Heswall[]

Heswall
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Andrew Hodson[78] 2,896 60.1 Decrease9.2
Green Barbara Burton 680 14.1 Increase9.2
Liberal Democrats Robert Thompson 644 13.4 Increase4.9
Labour Brian Parsons[79] 602 12.5 Decrease4.7
Majority 2,216 46.0 Decrease6.1
Registered electors 10,845
Turnout 4,861 44.8 Increase2.8
Rejected ballots 39 0.8 Increase0.6
Conservative hold Swing Decrease3.1

[80][81]

Hoylake and Meols[]

Hoylake and Meols
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alison Wright[13] 2,265 50.3 Decrease3.6
Labour Thomas Laing 997 22.1 Decrease7.6
Green Alix Cockcroft 778 17.3 Increase5.7
Liberal Democrats Peter Reisdorf 465 10.3 Increase3.7
Majority 1,268 28.1 Increase4.4
Registered electors 10,463
Turnout 4,554 43.5 Increase0.6
Rejected ballots 49 1.1 Increase0.8
Conservative hold Swing Increase2.3

[82][83][84]

Leasowe and Moreton East[]

Leasowe and Moreton East
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Karl Greaney[15] 1,729 47.9 Decrease10.7
Conservative Debbie Caplin[85] 1,428 39.6 Increase6.0
Green Michael Dixon 453 12.5 Increase9.2
Majority 301 8.3 Decrease16.7
Registered electors 10,806
Turnout 3,649 33.8 Increase1.0
Rejected ballots 39 1.1 Increase0.8
Labour hold Swing Decrease8.4

[86][87]

Liscard[]

Liscard
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Sarah Spoor[88] 1,733 51.0 Decrease12.6
Conservative Michael Taylor[89] 609 17.9 Decrease3.6
UKIP Rodney Melbourne 374 11.0 New
Green Perle Sheldricks 360 10.6 Increase5.2
Liberal Democrats Sue Arrowsmith 319 9.4 Decrease0.2
Majority 1,124 33.1 Decrease9.0
Registered electors 11,095
Turnout 3,431 30.9 Decrease1.0
Rejected ballots 36 1.0 Increase0.5
Labour hold Swing Decrease4.5

[90][91]

Moreton West and Saughall Massie[]

Moreton West and Saughall Massie
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Steve Williams[85] 2,738 63.4 Increase1.8
Labour Stan Webster[92] 1,146 26.5 Decrease6.8
Green Helen O'Donnell 330 7.6 Increase4.5
Liberal Democrats David Tyrrell 107 2.5 Increase0.4
Majority 1,592 36.8 Increase8.5
Registered electors 10,671
Turnout 4,368 40.9 Decrease0.4
Rejected ballots 47 1.1 Increase0.9
Conservative hold Swing Increase4.3

[93][94]

New Brighton[]

New Brighton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Pat Hackett[14] 2,248 57.0 Decrease2.1
Conservative Keith Raybould[95] 682 17.3 Decrease8.5
Green Cynthia Stonall 541 13.7 Increase5.7
Liberal Democrats Charlie Smethurst 256 6.5 Increase2.0
UKIP Paula Walters 218 5.5 Increase2.9
Majority 1,566 39.7 Increase6.4
Registered electors 11,214
Turnout 3,959 35.3 Decrease0.9
Rejected ballots 14 0.4 Increase0.2
Labour hold Swing Increase3.2

[96][97]

Oxton[]

Oxton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Andy Corkhill[24] 2,627 59.8 Increase12.2
Labour Jeff Davies[98] 1,298 29.6 Decrease9.4
UKIP Chris Bunker 245 5.6 New
Conservative Tina McDonnell[99] 220 5.0 Decrease3.6
Majority 1,329 30.3 Increase21.7
Registered electors 10,950
Turnout 4,405 40.2 Increase1.1
Rejected ballots 15 0.3 Increase0.2
Liberal Democrats gain from Independent Swing Increase10.8

[100][101]

Pensby and Thingwall[]

Pensby and Thingwall
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Mike Collins[102] 2,201 44.8 Increase1.4
Labour Phil Brightmore[103] 1,705 34.7 Decrease9.2
Green Allen Burton 700 14.2 Increase8.5
Liberal Democrats Colin Thompson 307 6.2 Decrease0.8
Majority 496 10.1 N/A
Registered electors 10,390
Turnout 4,950 47.6 Increase6.7
Rejected ballots 37 0.7 Increase0.5
Conservative gain from Labour Swing Increase5.3

[104][105][106]

Prenton[]

Prenton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Chris Cooke[53] 2,915 63.6 Increase29.5
Labour Angie Davies[107] 1,467 32.0 Decrease17.4
Conservative Hilary Jones[108] 200 4.4 Decrease7.7
Majority 1,448 31.6 N/A
Registered electors 10,995
Turnout 4,614 42.0 Increase6.4
Rejected ballots 32 0.7 Increase0.4
Green gain from Labour Swing Increase23.5

[109][110][111]

Rock Ferry[]

Rock Ferry
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Yvonne Nolan[16] 1,280 45.0 Decrease29.9
Independent Chris Meaden[20] 1,095 38.5 New
Green Moira Gommon 312 11.0 Increase4.4
Conservative Johnathan Andrew[47] 160 5.6 Decrease5.5
Majority 185 6.5 Decrease57.3
Registered electors 10,043
Turnout 2,861 28.5 Increase4.7
Rejected ballots 14 0.5 Increase0.3
Labour gain from Independent Swing Decrease28.7

[112][113][114]

Seacombe[]

Seacombe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Christine Jones[43] 1,582 63.9 Decrease13.2
UKIP Chris Wellstead 375 15.1 New
Green Diane Johnson 286 11.5 Increase4.8
Conservative John Laing[47] 234 9.4 Decrease3.6
Majority 1,207 48.7 Decrease15.4
Registered electors 10,143
Turnout 2,494 24.6 Decrease0.5
Rejected ballots 17 0.7 Increase0.5
Labour hold Swing Decrease7.7

[115][116]

Upton[]

Upton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Tony Smith[43] 1,775 49.4 Decrease8.8
Conservative Emma Sellman[117] 937 26.1 Decrease2.5
Green Lily Clough 636 17.7 Increase11.0
Liberal Democrats Alan Davies 243 6.8 Increase2.6
Majority 838 23.3 Decrease6.3
Registered electors 12,234
Turnout 3,631 29.7 Decrease1.9
Rejected ballots 40 1.1 Increase0.8
Labour hold Swing Decrease3.2

[118][119]

Wallasey[]

Wallasey
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Paul Hayes[85] 2,795 52.6 Decrease2.0
Labour Paul Martin[120] 1,705 32.1 Decrease6.6
Green James Brady 340 6.4 Increase3.0
Liberal Democrats John Codling 243 4.6 Increase1.3
UKIP Kriss Cringle 235 4.4 New
Majority 1,090 20.5 Increase4.5
Registered electors 11,795
Turnout 5,334 45.2 Increase0.9
Rejected ballots 16 0.3 Increase0.2
Conservative hold Swing Increase2.3

[121][122][123]

West Kirby and Thurstaston[]

West Kirby and Thurstaston
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Jenny Johnson[124] 2,536 55.1 Decrease6.4
Labour James Laing[125] 959 20.8 Decrease4.4
Green Yvonne McGinley 726 15.8 Increase8.7
Liberal Democrats Michael Redfern 383 8.3 Increase2.1
Majority 1,577 34.3 Decrease2.0
Registered electors 10,200
Turnout 4,638 45.5 Increase0.6
Rejected ballots 34 0.7 Increase0.5
Conservative hold Swing Decrease1.0

[126][127]

Changes between 2019 and 2021[]

Date Ward Name Previous affiliation New affiliation Circumstance
17 July 2019 Greasby, Frankby and Irby David Burgess-Joyce Conservative Independent Suspended.[128]
6 February 2020 Bromborough Jo Bird Labour Independent Suspended.[129]
14 February 2020 Bromborough Jo Bird Independent Labour Reinstated.[130]
9 August 2020 Birkenhead and Tranmere Steve Hayes Green Independent Resigned.[131]
After 20 July 2020 Greasby, Frankby and Irby David Burgess-Joyce Independent Conservative Reinstated.[132][133]
14 November 2020 Hoylake and Meols Tony Cox Conservative Independent Suspended.[134]
December 2020 Prenton Tony Norbury Labour Independent Suspended.[135]
February 2021 Prenton Tony Norbury Independent Labour Reinstated.[136]
After November 2020 Hoylake and Meols Tony Cox Independent Conservative Reinstated.[137]

Notes[]

• italics denote the sitting councillor • bold denotes the winning candidate

  1. ^ a b As the only Green on the council prior to the election, Pat Cleary was their de facto group leader.
  2. ^ Not seeking re-election.[9]
  3. ^ Not contesting Oxton.

References[]

  1. ^ "Wirral council Labour group leader Steve Foulkes steps down". BBC News. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  2. ^ Marles, Leigh (8 May 2017). "Wirral Council Conservative group has a new leader - Jeff Green ousted after 15-year reign". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  3. ^ Murphy, Liam (23 May 2014). "Green party enjoy shock Birkenhead success in Wirral elections". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  4. ^ Cureton, Stephanie (16 May 2013). "New leader for Wirral Liberal Democrats". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  5. ^ Robinson, Eric (22 March 2019). "Election Notices for local elections on 2 May 2019". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  6. ^ a b Holder, Josh; Voce, Antonio (3 May 2019). "Local elections 2019: full results for English councils". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Local election - Thursday, 2nd May 2019". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  8. ^ "Councillors". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  9. ^ a b c d Hamilton, Claire (17 October 2018). "Wirral Council leader quits after Labour 'extremists' claims". BBC News. Liverpool. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  10. ^ Houghton, Tom (22 February 2019). "The UK's newest Independent Group has been created by fed-up politicians - right here on Merseyside". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  11. ^ "Election results for Birkenhead and Tranmere". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  12. ^ a b Houghton, Tom (17 September 2018). "Tory councillor thinks he has been sacked because he is 'too old'". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Alison Wright (Hoylake, Meols and central West Kirby)". Wirral Conservatives. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  14. ^ a b Justice, Julian (25 November 2018). "Wirral Leaks Scoops the Mooney Scoop". Wirral Leaks. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  15. ^ a b c Houghton, Tom (2 November 2018). "Labour chief whip furious after being ousted by the 'loony left'". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  16. ^ a b Houghton, Tom (25 October 2018). "'Ex-Militant links' council leader selected for Wirral seat after Skyping meeting 'from cruise ship on the Med'". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  17. ^ Justice, Julian (22 October 2018). "Mooney News and New Ferry Blues". Wirral Leaks. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  18. ^ a b Houghton, Tom (28 February 2019). "Council's 'next leader' ousted as she becomes latest to hit out at 'hard-left Labour Party takeover'". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  19. ^ "TUSC suspends electoral activity: National Steering Committee statement". TUSC. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  20. ^ a b Houghton, Tom (12 February 2019). "Yet ANOTHER top Labour politician quits party - blaming 'hard-left' takeover". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  21. ^ Houghton, Tom (30 December 2018). "Labour members reject "militant" and "hard left" tag, saying "we're with Corbyn"". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  22. ^ Justice, Julian (27 January 2019). "The Electioneering Begins…". Wirral Leaks. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  23. ^ Houghton, Tom (1 May 2019). "This is the closest seat in Merseyside - but no one seems to care". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  24. ^ a b Corkhill, Andy. "Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Wirral West & Oxton Focus Team. Brexit Fighter". Twitter. @andypcorkhill. Archived from the original on 15 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  25. ^ Cooke, Chris (17 December 2018). "Wirral has raised white flag on climate change". Liverpool Echo. Archived from the original on 1 January 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  26. ^ Houghton, Tom (26 March 2019). "'Failing' Merseyside Tories slammed after asking public for money to help them win local elections". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  27. ^ Houghton, Tom (10 April 2019). "Wirral politician booted out of Labour after campaigning for rival party". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  28. ^ "Sunday Politics North West". BBC. 7 April 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  29. ^ Houghton, Tom (23 April 2019). "Wirral Tory Local Election candidate described hometown - where she is running for election - as 'horrible'". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  30. ^ Houghton, Tom (9 April 2019). "Politicians on collision course over 'saved' Wirral green belt sites". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  31. ^ Marles, Leigh (15 April 2019). "Fury over 'shabby backroom carve-up' of Wirral's green belt land". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  32. ^ Houghton, Tom (23 April 2019). "Politicians on collision course over 'saved' Wirral green belt sites". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  33. ^ Houghton, Tom (12 April 2019). "Battle lines drawn ahead of Wirral's local elections". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  34. ^ "Councillor Phil Davies". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  35. ^ "Councillor Adam Sykes". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  36. ^ Sykes, Adam (18 March 2019). "Adam Sykes on Twitter". Twitter. @AdamSykesWirral. Retrieved 19 March 2019. {{cite news}}: External link in |author= (help)
  37. ^ "Councillor Gerry Ellis". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  38. ^ "Councillor Ron Abbey". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  39. ^ "Councillor Bernie Mooney". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  40. ^ "Councillor Paul Doughty". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  41. ^ Justice, Julian (21 September 2018). "Go South Young Man! – The Leaving of Cllr Matthew Patrick". Wirral Leaks. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  42. ^ "Councillor David M Elderton". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  43. ^ a b c d "Council (Mon, 18th Mar 2019 - 6:00 pm)". Wirral Council Webcasting. 18 March 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  44. ^ Houghton, Tom; Hamilton, Claire (3 May 2019). "Election results: Labour loses overall control of Wirral Council". BBC News. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  45. ^ Haughton, Tom (7 May 2019). "Wirral Council in No Overall Control: What happens next as new Labour leader chosen". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  46. ^ Houghton, Tom (14 May 2019). "Labour to run Wirral Council with minority administration and No Overall Control following fiery meeting". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  47. ^ a b c d e f g "Council candidates 2019". Wirral Conservatives. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  48. ^ "Election results for Bebington". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  49. ^ "Councillor Jerry Williams". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  50. ^ "Bidston and St James Labour Party's post". Facebook. Bidston and St James Labour Party. 13 November 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  51. ^ "Election results for Bidston and St. James". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  52. ^ "Councillor Brian Kenny". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  53. ^ a b Clough, Lily (4 July 2018). "Greenlily on Twitter". Twitter. @Greenlily. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  54. ^ "Birkenhead and Tranmere Labour Party on Twitter". Twitter. @AndLabour. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  55. ^ "Election results for Birkenhead and Tranmere". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  56. ^ "Councillor Stephen Hayes". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  57. ^ Rand, Ian (15 November 2018). "New Ferry and Bromborough Labour Party on Twitter". Twitter. @LabourBromNF. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  58. ^ "Des Drury (Bromborough, New Ferry, Port Sunlight, Bromborough Pool and Spital)". Wirral Conservatives. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  59. ^ Teggin, Chris (26 March 2019). "Vicky Downie - Liberal Democrats's post". Facebook. Vicky Downie - Liberal Democrats. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  60. ^ "Election results for Bromborough". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  61. ^ "Councillor Joe Walsh". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  62. ^ "Helen Cameron (Clatterbridge Ward)". Wirral Conservatives. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  63. ^ "Wirral South CLP on Twitter". Twitter. @WirralSouthCLP. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  64. ^ "Election results for Clatterbridge". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  65. ^ "Councillor Helen Cameron". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  66. ^ "Claughton & Noctorum Labour Party's post". Facebook. Claughton & Noctorum Labour Party. 24 October 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  67. ^ "Election results for Caughton". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  68. ^ "Councillor Steve Foulkes". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  69. ^ Gilchrist, Phil (November 2018), FOCUS Update Late Nov 2018, Eastham Liberal Democrats {{citation}}: External link in |author= (help)
  70. ^ "Eastham & South Bromborough Labour on Twitter". Twitter. @LabourEastham. 9 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  71. ^ "Election results for Eastham". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  72. ^ "Councillor Dave Mitchell". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  73. ^ "Councillor Harry Gorman". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  74. ^ "David Burgess-Joyce (Greasby, Frankby & Irby)". Wirral Conservatives. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  75. ^ Watson, Tim (21 February 2019). "Tim Watson on Twitter". Twitter. @TimWatson4GFI. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  76. ^ "Election results for Greasby, Frankby and Irby". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  77. ^ "Councillor David Burgess-Joyce". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  78. ^ "Andrew Hodson (Heswall and Gayton)". Wirral Conservatives. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  79. ^ "Wirral South Labour Party's post". Facebook. Wirral South Labour Party. 30 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  80. ^ "Election results for Heswall". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  81. ^ "Councillor Andrew Hodson". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  82. ^ "Election results for Hoylake and Meols". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  83. ^ "Councillor Peter Reisdorf". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  84. ^ "Councillor Alison Wright". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  85. ^ a b c Lewis, Ian (2 August 2018). "Ian Lewis on Twitter". Twitter. @ianlewis675. Retrieved 3 August 2018. {{cite web}}: External link in |author= (help)
  86. ^ "Election results for Leasowe and Moreton East". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  87. ^ "Councillor Karl Greaney". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  88. ^ "Wallasey Constituency Labour Party's post". Facebook. Wallasey Constituency Labour Party. 13 March 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  89. ^ "Mike Taylor (Liscard and Egremont)". Wirral Conservatives. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  90. ^ "Election results for Liscard". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  91. ^ "Councillor Sarah Spoor". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  92. ^ "Moreton West & Saughall Massie Labour on Twitter". Twitter. @SaughallW. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  93. ^ "Election results for Moreton West and Saughall Massie". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  94. ^ "Councillor Steve Williams". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  95. ^ "Keith Raybould". Wirral Conservatives. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  96. ^ "Election results for New Brighton". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  97. ^ "Councillor Pat Hackett". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  98. ^ "Oxton Labour Party's post". Facebook. Oxton Labour Party. 9 November 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  99. ^ "Tina McDonnell (Oxton)". Wirral Conservatives. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  100. ^ "Election results for Oxton". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  101. ^ "Councillor Andrew Corkhill". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  102. ^ Clements, Wendy (29 September 2018). "Cllr Wendy Clements on Twitter". Twitter. @wendyclements. Retrieved 2 October 2018. {{cite news}}: External link in |author= (help)
  103. ^ Houghton, Tom (30 October 2018). "Heartbreaking moment young couple realised they would never grow old together". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  104. ^ "Election results for Pensby and Thingwall". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  105. ^ "Councillor Michael Collins". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  106. ^ "Councillor Phillip Brightmore". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  107. ^ Gilligan, Andrew (2 September 2018). "Ghost of Militant barges through Birkenhead". The Times. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  108. ^ "Hilary Jones (Prenton)". Wirral Conservatives. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  109. ^ "Election results for Prenton". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  110. ^ "Councillor Christopher Cooke". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  111. ^ "Councillor Angela Davies". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  112. ^ "Election results for Rock Ferry". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  113. ^ "Councillor Yvonne Nolan". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  114. ^ "Councillor Chris Meaden". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  115. ^ "Election results for Seacombe". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  116. ^ "Councillor Chris Jones". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  117. ^ "Emma Sellman (Upton, Woodchurch, Overchurch and Arrowe Park)". Wirral Conservatives. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  118. ^ "Election results for Upton". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  119. ^ "Councillor Tony Smith". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  120. ^ Martin, Paul (22 January 2019). "Paul Martin on Twitter". Twitter. @paulmartin83. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  121. ^ "Election results for Wallasey". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  122. ^ "Councillor Paul Hayes". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  123. ^ "Councillor Paul Martin". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  124. ^ "Jenny Johnson". Wirral Conservatives. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  125. ^ "Wirral West Labour Party on Twitter". Twitter. @WWLabour. 23 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  126. ^ "Election results for West Kirby and Thurstaston". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  127. ^ "Councillor Jennifer Johnson". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  128. ^ Thorp, Liam (17 July 2019). "Tory Councillor suspended after comparing black MP David Lammy to the Ku Klux Klan". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  129. ^ Tom, Rayner (7 February 2020). "Labour suspends two candidates in governing body election". Sky News. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  130. ^ SKWAWKBOX (SW) (15 February 2020). "BIRD REINSTATED TO NEC BY-ELECTION". The Skwawkbox. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  131. ^ Morgan, George (24 August 2020). "Wirral councillor suddenly quits Greens for Independent group". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  132. ^ Morgan, George (21 July 2020). "Councillor who made racist comment about black MP could return to Tory group". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  133. ^ Lally, Kate (15 December 2020). "Wirral's Tory group leader Ian Lewis steps down from role". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  134. ^ Morgan, George (19 November 2020). "Wirral Tory councillor suspended for retweet on 'Islamism'". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  135. ^ Morgan, George (9 December 2020). "Labour councillor who chaired Birkenhead meeting suspended". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  136. ^ Morgan, George (11 February 2021). "Wirral councillor Tony Norbury allowed back in Labour Party". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  137. ^ "Councillor Tony Cox". Wirral West and Wirral South Conservatives. Archived from the original on 27 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
Retrieved from ""