Former leader Storey to step down from political frontline

May 17 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

David Henshaw, Sir Bob Scott and Mike Storey show their delight following the announcement Liverpool had been named the European Capital of Culture for 2008 _320

LIVERPOOL’S former leader and regeneration chief is being moved out of frontline politics for the first time in 35 years.

Cllr Mike Storey, executive member for regeneration, will be appointed deputy Lord Mayor on Tuesday if the full council rubber-stamps Warren Bradley’s decision.

The move effectively relegates one of the Lib-Dem’s biggest hitters to a figurehead role and comes days after the council leader vowed to instigate a “radical” shake-up of his cabinet.

Cllr Storey admitted it will be a wrench leaving the main political arena.

He said: “It’s going to be a challenge because as the longest serving member of the council I have always been in the thick of full-blooded politics.

“People will always read into this sort of thing but people do retire from the cut and thrust of real politics – it happened five or six times when I was in charge.

“But there was a vision 10 years ago about how this city could be turned around and this year we’ve seen the opening of the Arena and Liverpool One has seen 80% uptake already, which is a terrific achievement. I think it’s a timely point to step aside.”

However, he said he may return to “real” politics when his term ends.