2021 Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council election explained

See main article: 2021 United Kingdom local elections.

Election Name:2021 Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council election
Country:England
Flag Image:Coat of arms of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council.png
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2019 Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council election
Previous Year:2019
Election Date:6 May 2021
Next Election:2022 Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council election
Next Year:2022
Seats For Election:23 of 66 seats (One Third and one by-election)
to Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council
Majority Seats:34
Turnout:36.0% (1.1%)
3Blank:Swing (pp)
Leader of the Council
Before Election:Janette Williamson (Labour)[1]
Before Party:No Overall Control
Posttitle:Leader of the Council after election
After Election:Janette Williamson (Labour)[2]
After Party:No Overall Control
Party1:Labour Party (UK)
Seats Before1:32
Seats1:10
Seats After1:30
Popular Vote1:34,643
Percentage1:39.7%
Party2:Conservative Party (UK)
Seats Before2:22
Seats2:8
Seats After2:23
Popular Vote2:29,000
Percentage2:33.3%
Party4:Green Party of England and Wales
Seats Before4:2
Seats4:3
Seats After4:5
Popular Vote4:13,915
Percentage4:16.0%
Party5:Liberal Democrats (UK)
Seats Before5:6
Seats5:2
Seats After5:6
Popular Vote5:8,788
Percentage5:10.1%
Swing5:1.5%

The 2021 Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council election took place on 6 May 2021 to elect members of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council in England.[3] This election was held on the same day as other local elections. The election was originally due to take place in May 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] This delay meant those elected (excluding the by-election) would serve only a three-year term.

After the election, the composition of the council was:

PartySeats  ±  
30 2
231
6
5 2
2 2
Source: The Guardian[5]

Election results

Overall election result

Overall result compared with 2019.

[6]

Changes in council composition

Prior to the election the composition of the council was:[7]

↓
3222624

After the election the composition of the council was:[5]

↓
3023652

Parties and candidates

Contesting political parties

PartyLeaderLeader sinceLeader's ward
Janette Williamson29 June 2020Liscard35.8%1011
Jeff Green22 December 2020West Kirby and Thurstaston32.1%87
Phil Gilchrist16 May 2013Eastham11.6%22
Pat Cleary22 May 2014Birkenhead and Tranmere16.7%20
Moira McLaughlin22 February 2019[8] Rock Ferry1.4%02

2020 Candidate selection

In August 2019, incumbent Labour councillor for Prenton Tony Norbury was not approved for candidacy by the Local campaign forum thus was unable to seek re-selection.[9] Former Prenton councillor Angie Davies, who lost her seat in May to the Green's Chris Cooke, was selected as the new Labour candidate in October.[10] The Greens are fielding Harry Gorman who was selected in June.[11] [12]

Tom Usher, then youngest member of council and cabinet member for Children and Families, lost a selection contest in his Liscard Labour branch in October to Dave Brennan by 21 votes to 30.[13] This was criticised by Independent group leader, and former Labour councillor, Moira McLaughlin who perceived Usher as having been "booted out by the hard-left". Liscard labour chair Edwina Doyle dismissed this notion putting the result down to Usher being "a bit younger and less experienced [than Brennan]". In January 2020, he was selected to contest the neighboring, Conservative held, ward of Wallasey.[14]

Conservative councillor Chris Blakeley died of cancer on 15 January.[15] A casual vacancy was announced on 6 February with the seat to be filled at the upcoming election when Blakeley's term was due to end.[16] Simon Mountney, who had served alongside Blakeley as a fellow ward councillor from 2004 to 2014, was selected as the Conservative candidate in March.[17] [18] Though he was replaced by Max Booth the following January after the elections had been rescheduled.[19] Mountney was later selected to contest the West Kirby and Thurstaston ward.[20]

The Conservatives posted an appeal for candidates on Twitter on 17 February for wards in the Wallasey and Birkenhead constituencies.[21]

2021 Candidate selection

Chase Newton was selected as the Lib Dem candidate for Bromborough on 23 July 2020 succeeding Vicky Downie who stood down for personal reasons.[22] Downie had been the party's candidate in the ward for the previous three elections.[23]

Former Labour Councillor Bill Davies resigned his seat in September with a casual vacancy announced on the 7th.[24]

Conservative councillor Geoffrey Watt died on 24 September 2020 after a short illness.[25]

Campaign

On 24 February, Leader of the Council Pat Hackett announced he was standing down as both leader and councillor for New Brighton later in the year.[26] This was, however, to be in July after the election was scheduled.[27] Hackett was succeeded as Leader of the Labour Group by his deputy Janette Williamson on 29 June 2020.[28] She was voted in as Leader of the Council in a virtual meeting on 28 September.[1] Hackett later resigned his seat in September.[29]

A leaked internal Labour report released on 3 March 2020 predicted severe losses for the party at the upcoming local elections across the country.[30] Wirral, however, was one of only two authorities (the other being Burnley) seen as a possible gain for Labour with Wirral being the only positive prediction under all models used within the report.[31]

On 13 March it was announced that all elections due to be held in May would be suspended until the following year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

An e-newsletter created by the Oxton Labour Party revealed that it and the rest of the Birkenhead constituency party were not delivering leaflets due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[32]

Leader of the Conservative group Ian Lewis resigned on 15 December 2020 citing internal party problems.[33] Lewis's predecessor Jeff Green was elected leader on 22 December beating controversial Greasby, Frankby and Irby councillor David Burgess-Joyce.

Retiring councillors

WardDeparting CouncillorParty
Birkenhead and TranmereJean Stapleton[34]
Leasowe and Moreton EastAnita Leech[35] [36]
Moreton West and Saughall MassieChris Blakeley[37]
Pensby and ThingwallMike Sullivan[38] [39]
PrentonTony Norbury[40]
New BrightonPat Hackett[41]
Rock FerryBill Davies[42]
West Kirby and ThurstastonGeoffrey Watt[43]

Ward results

Results compared directly with the last local election in 2019.

Bebington

[44] [45] [46]

Bidston and St James

[47] [48]

Birkenhead and Tranmere

[49] [50]

Bromborough

[51] [52]

Clatterbridge

[53] [54]

Claughton

[55] [56]

Eastham

[57] [58]

Greasby, Frankby and Irby

[59] [60]

Heswall

[61] [62]

Hoylake and Meols

[63] [64] [65]

Leasowe and Moreton East

[66] [67]

Liscard

[68] [69]

Moreton West and Saughall Massie

[70] [71]

New Brighton

[72] [73] [74]

Oxton

[75] [76]

Pensby and Thingwall

[77] [78]

Prenton

[79] [80] [81]

Rock Ferry

[82] [83]

Seacombe

[84] [85]

Upton

[86] [87]

Wallasey

[88] [89] [90]

West Kirby and Thurstaston

[91] [92] [93]

Changes between 2021 and 2022

Liscard by-election 2021

Cllr Sarah Spoor, first elected in 2018, announced her resignation on 4 June 2021.[94] A casual vacancy was announced on the 7th.[95] [96] [97]

Oxton by-election 2021

Cllr Andy Corkhill, first elected in 2019, died of cancer at the age of 36 on 4 October 2021.[98] A casual vacancy was announced on the 20th.[99]

[100]

Other changes

See also

Notes

• italics denote the sitting councillor • bold denotes the winning candidate

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wirral gets first woman leader in nearly 30 years . George. Morgan. Liverpool Echo. 29 September 2020. 1 October 2020.
  2. Web site: Agenda Annual Meeting (Part 2), Council Wednesday, 26th May 2021 6.00 p.m. . Wirral Council. 26 May 2021. 27 May 2021.
  3. Web site: Elections . . 23 June 2019.
  4. News: Local elections postponed for a year over coronavirus . 13 March 2020 . BBC News . 13 March 2020.
  5. News: 2021 election results: latest results from Scottish, Welsh and local votes . 7 May 2021. 8 May 2021. The Guardian. Seán. Clarke. Anna. Leach. Niko. Kommenda.
  6. Web site: Local election - Thursday, 6th May 2021 . 7 May 2021. 7 May 2021. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council.
  7. Web site: Councillors. https://web.archive.org/web/20200812161106/https://www.wirral.gov.uk/councillors-and-committees/councillors . 12 August 2020. 12 August 2020. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council.
  8. News: Houghton . Tom . 22 February 2019 . The UK's newest Independent Group has been created by fed-up politicians – right here on Merseyside . 23 June 2019. Liverpool Echo.
  9. Web site: It's a 'No' to Norbury. Wirral Leaks. 9 August 2019. Julian. Justice. 9 August 2019.
  10. Web site: ELECTION CANDIDATES . https://web.archive.org/web/20201105171026/https://wirrallabour.co.uk/cpt_team_group/election-candidates/. Wirral Labour Party. 5 November 2020. 5 November 2020.
  11. Web site: Green View Issue 21: July-August 2019 . Gorman, Harry. Cooke, Cllr Chris. Green Party. July 2019. 7 February 2021.
  12. Web site: People . https://web.archive.org/web/20201210150519/https://wordpress.greenparty.org.uk/wirral/people/. Wirral Green Party. 10 December 2020. 10 December 2020.
  13. Web site: Senior council cabinet member deselected in shock move. Liverpool Echo. 11 October 2019. George. Morgan. 11 October 2019.
  14. Web site: Council Monday, 2nd March 2020 at 6:00pm . Wirral Council Webcasting. 15 April 2020. 2 March 2020.
  15. News: Heartfelt tributes follow the death of Wirral councillor Chris Blakeley. Wirral Globe. 27 January 2020. 16 January 2020. George. Morgan.
  16. Web site: NOTICE OF CASUAL VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF COUNCILLOR FOR THE MORETON WEST AND SAUGHALL MASSIE WARD. Paul. Satoor. . https://web.archive.org/web/20200221222422/https://www.wirral.gov.uk/sites/default/files/all/Elections%20and%20voting/2020%20Notices/Notice%20of%20Casual%20Vacancy.pdf . 21 February 2020. 21 February 2020.
  17. Web site: Councillor Simon Mountney. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 12 March 2020.
  18. Web site: Simon Mountney. Wallasey Conservative Association . https://web.archive.org/web/20200312130947/https://www.wirralconservatives.com/simonmountney . March 2020. 12 March 2020. 12 March 2020.
  19. Web site: Max Booth. Wallasey Conservatives . https://web.archive.org/web/20210205200004/https://www.wirralconservatives.com/maxbooth . January 2021. 5 February 2021. 5 February 2021.
  20. Web site: Simon Mountney. Wirral West and Wirral South Conservatives . https://web.archive.org/web/20210219142536/https://www.wirralconservatives.org.uk/people/simon-mountney . 19 February 2021. February 2021. 19 February 2021.
  21. Web site: Wirral's Conservative Councillors on Twitter. Wirral's Conservative Councillors. @torycouncillors. Twitter. 17 February 2020. 17 February 2020.
  22. Web site: 3 August 2020. Carubia, Chris. Meet Our Candidate For Bromborough 2021.. 6 August 2020. Liberal Democrats Wirral. 19 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200919162238/https://wirrallibdems.com/meet-our-candidate-for-bromborough-2001/.
  23. Web site: Andrew. Teale. Bromborough Ward — Wirral. 6 August 2020. Local Elections Archive Project.
  24. Web site: Paul. Satoor. Notice of vacancy in the office of Councillor for the Rock Ferry Ward. 7 September 2020. 30 September 2020. Wirral Council. 23 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210423171749/https://www.wirral.gov.uk/elections-and-voting/elections/notice-vacancy-office-councillor-rock-ferry-ward.
  25. Web site: Wirral Globe. Geoffrey Watt. 30 September 2020. 30 September 2020.
  26. News: Manning . Craig . 24 February 2020 . Wirral Council leader Pat Hackett stepping down from politics this year . 24 February 2020. Wirral Globe.
  27. Web site: Council - Monday, 2nd March 2020 at 6:00pm . Wirral Council Webcasting. 2 March 2020. 3 March 2020.
  28. News: 3 July 2020 . Janette Williamson a step closer to Wirral Council leadership . 1 October 2020. George. Morgan. Wirral Globe.
  29. Web site: Paul. Satoor. Notice of vacancy in the office of Councillor for the New Brighton Ward. 30 September 2020. 14 October 2020. Wirral Council. 17 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201017021156/https://www.wirral.gov.uk/sites/default/files/all/Elections%20and%20voting/2020%20Notices/Notice%20of%20Casual%20Vacancy%20-%20New%20Brighton%20Ward.pdf.
  30. News: . 3 March 2020 . Labour: Party 'braced for losses' in May's council elections . 3 March 2020. BBC News.
  31. Web site: 3 March 2020 . Labour local elections leak . 3 March 2020. Christian. Scribd.
  32. Web site: 29 July 2020. Oxton Labour Party. Oxton Rose July 2020: Campaigning Going Forward. 6 August 2020. Facebook.
  33. News: Lally . Kate . 15 December 2020 . Wirral's Tory group leader Ian Lewis steps down from role . 15 December 2020. Wirral Globe.
  34. Web site: Councillor Jean Stapleton. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 22 October 2019. 12 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143538/https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=123. dead.
  35. Web site: Councillor Anita Leech. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 5 February 2020. 17 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180717184148/https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=50001304. dead.
  36. Web site: Meet The Candidates . https://web.archive.org/web/20210205092834/https://wirrallabour.co.uk/cpt_services/elections/. 5 February 2021. Wirral Labour Party . 24 January 2021.
  37. Web site: Councillor Chris Blakeley. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 27 January 2020. 1 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200901163031/https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=126.
  38. Web site: Councillor Michael Sullivan. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 22 March 2021. 12 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180712223037/https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=50001303. dead.
  39. Web site: Council Monday, 22nd March 2021 at 6:00pm . Wirral Council Webcasting. 22 March 2021. 22 March 2021.
  40. Web site: Councillor Tony Norbury. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 9 August 2019. 13 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180713203121/https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=50001302. dead.
  41. Web site: Councillor Pat Hackett. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 14 October 2020. 12 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144042/https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=752. dead.
  42. Web site: Councillor Bill Davies. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 30 September 2020. 12 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144130/https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=156.
  43. Web site: Councillor Geoffrey Watt. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 30 September 2020. 12 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144207/https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=136.
  44. Web site: Election results for Bebington. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 8 May 2021.
  45. Web site: Councillor Jason Walsh . Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021.
  46. Web site: Councillor Christina Muspratt. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021. 12 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214837/https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=50001307. dead.
  47. Web site: Election results for Bidston and St. James. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 8 May 2021.
  48. Web site: Councillor Julie McManus . 19 May 2021 . Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council.
  49. Web site: Election results for Birkenhead and Tranmere. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 8 May 2021.
  50. Web site: Councillor Emily Gleaves . Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021.
  51. Web site: Election results for Bromborough. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 13 May 2021.
  52. Web site: Councillor Jo Bird. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021.
  53. Web site: Election results for Clatterbridge. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 14 May 2021.
  54. Web site: Councillor Cherry Povall, JP. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021.
  55. Web site: Election results for Claughton. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 14 May 2021.
  56. Web site: Councillor George Davies. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021.
  57. Web site: Election results for Eastham. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 14 May 2021.
  58. Web site: Councillor Phil Gilchrist. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021.
  59. Web site: Election results for Greasby, Frankby and Irby. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 17 May 2021.
  60. Web site: Councillor Tom Anderson. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021. 21 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180521022125/https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=129. dead.
  61. Web site: Election results for Heswall. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 17 May 2021.
  62. Web site: Councillor Kathy Hodson. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021.
  63. Web site: Election results for Hoylake and Meols. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 17 May 2021.
  64. Web site: Councillor Andrew Gardner. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021.
  65. Web site: Councillor Peter Reisdorf. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021. 12 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143021/https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=179. dead.
  66. Web site: Election results for Leasowe and Moreton East. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 17 May 2021.
  67. Web site: Councillor Helen Collinson . Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021.
  68. Web site: Election results for Liscard. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 17 May 2021.
  69. Web site: Councillor David Brennan. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021.
  70. Web site: Election results for Moreton West and Saughall Massie. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 19 May 2021.
  71. Web site: Councillor Max Booth. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021.
  72. Web site: Election results for New Brighton. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 17 May 2021.
  73. Web site: Councillor Tony Jones. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021.
  74. Web site: Councillor Paul Martin. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021.
  75. Web site: Election results for Oxton. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 19 May 2021.
  76. Web site: Councillor Stuart Kelly. 19 May 2021. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council.
  77. Web site: Election results for Pensby and Thingwall. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 19 May 2021.
  78. Web site: Councillor Ivan Camphor. 20 May 2021. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council.
  79. Web site: Election results for Prenton. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 8 May 2021.
  80. Web site: Councillor Harry Gorman . Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 20 May 2021.
  81. Web site: Councillor Angela Davies. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 20 May 2021.
  82. Web site: Election results for Rock Ferry. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 19 May 2021.
  83. Web site: Councillor Clare O'Hagan. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 20 May 2021.
  84. Web site: Election results for Seacombe. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 19 May 2021.
  85. Web site: Councillor Paul Stuart . Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 20 May 2021.
  86. Web site: Election results for Upton. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 19 May 2021.
  87. Web site: Councillor Jean Robinson. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 20 May 2021.
  88. Web site: Election results for Wallasey. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 19 May 2021.
  89. Web site: Councillor Ian Lewis. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 20 May 2021.
  90. Web site: Councillor Thomas Usher. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 19 May 2021. 15 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210415130618/https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=50001803. dead.
  91. Web site: Election results for West Kirby and Thurstaston. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 7 May 2021. 19 May 2021.
  92. Web site: Councillor Simon R Mountney. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 20 May 2021.
  93. Web site: Councillor Louise Reecejones. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 20 May 2021. 19 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180919171858/https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=50001513. dead.
  94. News: Wirral Labour councillor Sarah Spoor resigns. George. Morgan. 4 June 2021. 6 June 2021. Wirral Globe.
  95. Web site: Paul. Satoor. Notice of vacancy in the office of Councillor for the Liscard ward. 7 June 2021. 7 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210607215622/https://www.wirral.gov.uk/elections-and-voting/elections/local-elections/notice-casual-vacancy-office-councillor-liscard-ward. 7 June 2021. Wirral Council.
  96. Web site: Paul. Satoor. Statement of Persons Nominated for the Liscard ward. 28 June 2021. 28 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210628162046/https://www.wirral.gov.uk/sites/default/files/all/Elections%20and%20voting/2021%20Notices/Statement%20of%20Persons%20Nominated%20-%20Liscard%20ward.pdf. 28 June 2021. Wirral Council.
  97. Web site: Election results for Liscard. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 23 July 2021. 23 July 2021.
  98. News: 'Rising star', 36, dies with fiancée and mum by his side. Lisa. Rand. Abigail. Nicholson. 4 October 2021. 21 October 2021. Liverpool Echo.
  99. Web site: Paul. Satoor. Notice of vacancy in the office of Councillor for the Liscard ward. 20 October 2021. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021094955/https://www.wirral.gov.uk/elections-and-voting/elections/local-elections/notice-casual-vacancy-office-councillor-oxton-ward. 21 October 2021. Wirral Council.
  100. Web site: Election results for Oxton. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 25 November 2021. 26 November 2021.
  101. News: Wirral councillor Jo Bird expelled by Labour party over banned group . BBC News. BBC News. 22 November 2021. 22 November 2021.

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