Parties mount final push in the battle to control Liverpool

May 1 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

POLITICAL parties will be out pounding the streets today in a last push to secure votes that could tip the outcome of Liverpool’s most closely run election in a decade.

Yesterday, the ruling Liberal Democrats brought national leader Nick Clegg to the city in an effort to drum up support.

The Lib-Dems go into today’s poll with a majority of four in the form of 47 seats out of the city’s 90.

With a third of seats in contention, Labour are hoping they can wrestle power from the Lib-Dems after 10 years.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives are hoping to gain a seat for the first time in years.

At the site of the proposed Rhys Jones Community Centre, in Croxteth, Mr Clegg said he was proud of the party in Liverpool.

Mr Clegg said the city was better than it was under Labour 10 years ago.

He said the administration had reduced crime, anti-social behaviour and burglary by 36% with the success of alley-gating.

“We will invest significant amounts of money in Liverpool in community wardens with powers to arrest to increase security in communities.”

Mr Clegg said he believed voters thought the city was better now than 10 years ago, with the Lib-Dems responsible for turning around schools in Liverpool.

Brushing off the stigma of being named the country’s worst council, Mr Clegg said it was all about priorities.

He said: “The Audit Commission was critical of our priorities but we got a four-star in benefits and three-star in children’s services the environment and social care, the issues that are really central for people.”

Labour leader Cllr Joe Anderson dismissed Mr Clegg’s visit to Liverpool as a “desperate measure”.

“As far as I am concerned, he is coming here to tell the people of Liverpool to put a sticky plaster on a gaping hole.

“The fact is that this is the worst- performing council in the country – no matter what he says.

“I would like him to come to Liverpool and tell citizens how the council is going to bridge the £64m black hole.”

He said Labour were ready for power and wanted to take over.

“We have got a plan and a strategy in place to help sort out the city’s finances.”

Cllr Steve Radford, leader of the Liberals, said: “Our message is that we not only need a change of faces at the town hall, but we need a change of fundamental policies.

“It is probable that there will be a hung council, and the Liberal party will be in a real position to get changes.”