Lib-Dems head for power share as independents may force hand

May 2 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL City Council this morning appeared to be heading into a period where no party had overall control.

With around half of the results in, Labour appeared to be making vital gains and the Lib-Dems had lost some key seats, potentially losing the control of the city they have enjoyed since 1998.

The Greens also took a second seat on the council within the St Michael’s Ward.

Remaining independent Nadia Stewart could become the key player, with strong rumours that she could join the Lib-Dems to form an administration.

Council leader Warren Bradley, who made a late appearance at the count turning up at about 12.45am, held on to his Wavertree seat with a huge 2,223 votes.

But Labour took gains in the key seats of Anfield, Belle Vale and Kensington. Former Lib-Dem seat Yew Tree had already gone over to Labour, while the party was managing to hold up its vote in its heartland areas of Riverside and Central.

Council leader Warren Bradley said: “I always expected to win my seat as I’ve worked hard all year round for the people I represent.

“I think they came out and showed their absolute confidence in me to continue representing them and the city.” He refused to be downbeat about the results and said he would wait and see what the outcome of the election was before talking about what he would do if the council was hung.

Equally Joe Anderson, Labour’s leader, did not want to appear overly-confident and said the results were still too close to call. “It’s going right down to the wire but we’ve increased our vote in the city.

“If the council is hung this morning it will all depend whether people in the minority parties believe they have had enough of the Lib-Dems and listen to what the people have to say. Crucially, the minor parties on the council now have six seats, there are three Liberals, two Greens and one Independent.”

Liberal leader Steve Radford, who is defending his seat in Tuebrook, said he would be measuring up Labour and the Lib-Dems against set criteria before deciding which way to jump. His criteria is stopping housing demolitions and building on parks, and a commitment to sound financial management. Equally, Green leader John Coyne wants sound financial management. He said: “The Green Party now clearly has a momentum in Liverpool. People are not just voting for John Coyne any more but for Green politics in Liverpool.’’

Gloom appeared to be setting in among the Lib-Dems, with executive member Colin Eldridge saying the results were by no means a disaster, but he admitted they were disappointing.

“From the information coming out it’s hard to tell, but it looks like the council might be hung. It could come down to just 50 votes in a couple of wards.’’ The Lib-Dems started with 47 seats, Labour 35, the Liberals 4, the Greens 1, one Independent and two vacant seats. At the time of going to press, the Lib- Dems were at 41, Labour were up to 33, the Liberals were at 3, the Greens were up to 2. Lib-Dem defector Ann Hines, who crossed the floor to the Liberals after being deselected, failed to hold her seat in West Derby.

davidbartlett