Confusion on Wirral as Tories say: Stand aside

May 3 2008 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

WIRRAL Tory leader Jeff Green insisted his political rivals should “stand aside” last night after his party’s success at the polls in Thursday’s election.

Wirral Conservative group became the largest political party on the council, moving from 20 to 24 seats at the expense of Labour who fell back from 25 to 21 after a particularly damaging rout across Wallasey.

The Lib-Dems gained a seat in Pensby Thingwall moving them to 20 overall, but former Lib-Dem turned Independent Isabel Moon’s seat in Clatterbridge was won easily by the Tories.

Labour and the Lib-Dems pushed ahead, and with 41 seats between them could theoretically continue, but neither party’s leader will commit until their political groups have met.

The results left Wirral still with a hung council and no party holding a majority of the 66 seats – and Steve Foulkes, Labour leader, and Simon Holbrook of the Lib-Dems refused to be drawn on next moves.

Cllr Holbrook said: “We will have to think about the results and what they mean, and I look forward to hearing what the Conservatives plan to do.”

Both Labour and Lib-Dem party leaders said they would be consulting members of their parties in AGMs due to take place over the weekend. The Lib-Dems meet today and Labour tomorrow.

Labour leader Steve Foulkes said: “Last year I was leader of the largest group on the council and felt beholden to move things forward and form an administration.

“If Jeff Green is aspiring to leadership he could show some leadership now and make some suggestions.”

Yesterday Cllr Green insisted his party were ready and keen to take control of the council.

He added: “We will put our programme to the other parties and if they vote against it, we will expose them for it.”

The final decision on how the council will be run is sealed at Wirral Council’s general meeting.