Labour hopeful of regaining control

May 2 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

LABOUR made a strong assault on the current political administration in St Helens last night in a bid to reclaim power.

With just a few results in at the Town Hall, it looked late last night as if the party could take back control from the Liberal-Democrat/Conservative Alliance after a two-year gap.

In a good start for Labour, they gained a West Park seat from the Liberal Democrats.

In a closely fought battle between the two main parties, neither side – both locked on 21 seats – appeared able to gain the four seats necessary to assume overall control.

Labour leader Marie Rimmer definitively ruled out forming a coalition with the Tories early today and condemned the power-sharing agreement that swept the Lib-Dems into power two years ago.

She said: “From what I’ve seen, Newton appears to be close for us and I’m confident with West Park and Billinge. I would expect us to gain maybe three seats and hold our current position.

If Labour’s boast held true, and they won three seats from the Lib-Dems, it would bring about a hung council.

The incoming Mayor, Labour’s John Beirne, would have the casting vote to put Labour in control, providing he won his own seat in Town Centre ward.

The Liberal Democrats were confident of triumphing in Haydock where veteran Councillor Jim Caunce, who turned 90 this year, held on to his seat against the odds – but declared it would be the last time he would stand.

Councillor and Lib-Dem leader Bryan Spencer said: “We will hold what we’ve got and though we’ve lost in West Park, I’d be hopeful of three gains.

“It’s unlikely we’ll get overall control but we could be the largest party.”

The balance of power has remained delicately poised in St Helens since Labour were dramatically booted out in 2006 after 80 years in charge.

Labour leader Marie Rimmer stepped down as the Lib-Dems formed an unlikely power-sharing agreement with the Tories – using the Conservatives’ six seats to gain a majority.