2021 Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council election

British municipal election From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2021 Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council election took place on 6 May 2021 to elect members of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council in England.[11] 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.[12] This delay meant those elected (excluding the by-election) would serve only a three-year term.

Quick facts 23 of 66 seats (One Third and one by-election)to Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council 34 seats needed for a majority, Turnout ...
2021 Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council election
← 2019
6 May 2021
2022 →
23 of 66 seats (One Third and one by-election)
to Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council
34 seats needed for a majority
Turnout36.0% (Decrease1.1%)
  First party Second party
 
Leader Janette Williamson[1] Jeff Green[2]
Party Labour Conservative
Leader since 29 June 2020 (2020-06-29)[3] 22 December 2020 (2020-12-22)[4]
Leader's seat
Liscard		 West Kirby
and
Thurstaston
Last election 10 seats,
35.8%		 8 seats,
32.1%
Seats before 32 22
Seats won 10 8
Seats after 30 23
Seat change Decrease2 Increase1
Popular vote 34,643 29,000
Percentage 39.7% 33.3%
Swing Increase3.9% Increase1.2%
  Third party Fourth party
 
Leader Pat Cleary[5] Phil Gilchrist[6]
Party Green Liberal Democrats
Leader since 22 May 2014 (2014-05-22)[7] 16 May 2013 (2013-05-16)[8]
Leader's seat Birkenhead
and
Tranmere
Eastham
Last election 2 seats,
16.7%		 2 seats,
11.6%
Seats before 2 6
Seats won 3 2
Seats after 5 6
Seat change Increase3 Steady
Popular vote 13,915 8,788
Percentage 16.0% 10.1%
Swing Decrease0.7% Decrease1.5%
Map of results of 2021 election
Leader of the Council before election

Janette Williamson (Labour)[9]
No Overall Control

 Leader of the Council after election

Janette Williamson (Labour)[10]
No Overall Control

Close

After the election, the composition of the council was:

More information Party, Seats ...
PartySeats  ±  
Labour30Decrease2
Conservative23Increase1
Liberal Democrat6Steady
Green5Increase2
Independent2Decrease2
Source: The Guardian[13]
Close

Election results

Overall election result

Overall result compared with 2019.

More information Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council election result, 2021, Party ...
Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council election result, 2021
Party Candidates Votes
Stood Elected Gained Unseated Net % of total % No. Net %
  Labour 23 10 1 3 Decrease2 40.9 39.7 34,643 Increase3.9
  Conservative 23 8 1 0 Increase1 36.4 33.3 29,000 Increase1.2
  Green 23 3 3 0 Increase3 13.6 16.0 13,915 Decrease0.7
  Liberal Democrats 23 2 0 0 Steady 9.1 10.1 8,788 Decrease1.5
  Independent 1 0 0 2 Decrease2 0.0 0.6 547 Decrease0.8
  Reform 4 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 0.3 249 New
  For Britain 1 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 0.1 67 New
Close

[14] [n 1]

Changes in council composition

Prior to the election the composition of the council was:[15]

↓
32 22 6 2 4
Lab Con LD G Ind

After the election the composition of the council was:[13]

↓
30 23 6 5 2
Lab Con LD G I
Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council composition after the 2021 election as held in the Floral Pavilion Theatre

Parties and candidates

Contesting political parties

More information Party, Leader ...
Party Leader Leader since Leader's ward Up for
re-election?		 Last election This election
% of
votes		 Wards Defending Prior Composition[15]
Labour Janette Williamson 29 June 2020 Liscard Red XN 35.8% 10 11
32 / 66
Conservative Jeff Green 22 December 2020 West Kirby and Thurstaston Red XN 32.1% 8 7
22 / 66
Liberal Democrats Phil Gilchrist 16 May 2013 Eastham Green tickY 11.6% 2 2
6 / 66
Green Pat Cleary 22 May 2014 Birkenhead and Tranmere Red XN 16.7% 2 0
2 / 66
Independent Moira McLaughlin 22 February 2019[16] Rock Ferry Red XN 1.4% 0 2
4 / 66
Close

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.[17] 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.[18] The Greens are fielding Harry Gorman who was selected in June.[19][20]

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.[21] 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.[22]

Conservative councillor Chris Blakeley died of cancer on 15 January.[23] 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.[24] Simon Mountney, who had served alongside Blakeley as a fellow ward councillor from 2004 to 2014, was selected as the Conservative candidate in March.[25][26] Though he was replaced by Max Booth the following January after the elections had been rescheduled.[27] Mountney was later selected to contest the West Kirby and Thurstaston ward.[28]

The Conservatives posted an appeal for candidates on Twitter on 17 February for wards in the Wallasey and Birkenhead constituencies.[29]

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.[30] Downie had been the party's candidate in the ward for the previous three elections.[31]

Former Labour Councillor Bill Davies resigned his seat in September with a casual vacancy announced on the 7th.[32]

Conservative councillor Geoffrey Watt died on 24 September 2020 after a short illness.[33]

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.[34] This was, however, to be in July after the election was scheduled.[35] Hackett was succeeded as Leader of the Labour Group by his deputy Janette Williamson on 29 June 2020.[3][36] She was voted in as Leader of the Council in a virtual meeting on 28 September.[9] Hackett later resigned his seat in September.[37]

A leaked internal Labour report released on 3 March 2020 predicted severe losses for the party at the upcoming local elections across the country.[38] 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.[39]

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.[12]

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.[40]

Leader of the Conservative group Ian Lewis resigned on 15 December 2020 citing internal party problems.[41] Lewis's predecessor Jeff Green was elected leader on 22 December beating controversial Greasby, Frankby and Irby councillor David Burgess-Joyce.[4]

Retiring councillors

More information Ward, Departing Councillor ...
Ward Departing Councillor Party Ref.
Birkenhead and Tranmere Jean Stapleton[42] Labour [18]
Leasowe and Moreton East Anita Leech[43] Labour [44]
Moreton West and Saughall Massie Chris Blakeley[45] Conservative (died on 15 January 2020) [23]
Pensby and Thingwall Mike Sullivan[46] Independent [47]
Prenton Tony Norbury[48] Labour (deselected) [17][18]
New Brighton Pat Hackett[49] Labour (retired on 30 September 2020) [37]
Rock Ferry Bill Davies[50] Independent (retired on 7 September 2020; died later that year) [32][47]
West Kirby and Thurstaston Geoffrey Watt[51] Conservative (died on 24 September 2020) [33]
Close

Ward results

Results compared directly with the last local election in 2019.

Bebington

More information Party, Candidate ...
Bebington
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Jason Walsh[20] 3,167 59.8 Increase50.2
Labour Christina Muspratt[44] 1,536 29.0 Decrease21.1
Conservative Geoff Jones[52] 529 10.0 Decrease14.6
Liberal Democrats Vicky Downie 63 1.2 Decrease14.6
Majority 1,631 30.8 N/A
Registered electors 11,839
Turnout 5,350 45.2 Increase7.8
Rejected ballots 55 1.0 Steady
Green gain from Labour Swing Increase35.7
Close

[53][54][55]

Bidston and St James

More information Party, Candidate ...
Bidston and St James
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Julie McManus[44] 1,581 69.6 Increase1.9
Conservative Tina McDonnell 364 16.0 Increase5.4
Green Diane Johnson[56] 205 9.0 Decrease6.2
Liberal Democrats Mike Parsons 122 5.4 Decrease1.1
Majority 1,217 53.6 Increase1.1
Registered electors 10,498
Turnout 2,309 22.0 Decrease0.9
Rejected ballots 37 1.6 Decrease0.4
Labour hold Swing Increase0.5
Close

[57][58]

Birkenhead and Tranmere

More information Party, Candidate ...
Birkenhead and Tranmere
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Emily Gleaves[20] 1,765 61.9 Decrease4.0
Labour Susan Mahoney[18] 897 31.5 Decrease0.2
Conservative June Cowin 153 5.4 Increase3.1
Liberal Democrats Edward Smith 35 1.2 New
Majority 868 30.5 Decrease3.7
Registered electors 10,400
Turnout 2,886 27.8 Decrease5.4
Rejected ballots 36 1.2 Increase0.4
Green gain from Labour Swing Decrease1.9
Close

[59][60]

Bromborough

More information Party, Candidate ...
Bromborough
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Jo Bird[44] 2,248 61.1 Increase13.1
Conservative Anthony Drury 819 22.3 Increase0.6
Green Sheena Hatton[56] 318 8.6 Decrease4.7
Liberal Democrats Chase Newton[30] 295 8.0 Decrease9.0
Majority 1,429 38.8 Increase12.5
Registered electors 12,237
Turnout 3,720 30.4 Increase1.6
Rejected ballots 40 1.1 Steady
Labour hold Swing Increase6.3
Close

[61][62]

Clatterbridge

More information Party, Candidate ...
Clatterbridge
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Cherry Povall[47] 2,414 51.8 Decrease1.4
Labour Christopher Davies[44] 1,426 30.6 Increase1.5
Green Jim McGinley[56] 466 10.0 Decrease7.6
Liberal Democrats Daniel Rogers 357 7.7 New
Majority 988 21.2 Decrease2.9
Registered electors 11,305
Turnout 4,707 41.6 Decrease1.9
Rejected ballots 44 0.9 Decrease0.3
Conservative hold Swing Decrease1.5
Close

[63][64]

Claughton

More information Party, Candidate ...
Claughton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour George Davies[44] 2,096 60.2 Increase14.4
Conservative Rania Elzeiny 608 17.5 Increase1.9
Green Liz Heydon[56] 412 11.8 Decrease1.4
Liberal Democrats Chris Teggin 300 8.6 Decrease2.6
For Britain Gary Bergin 67 1.9 New
Majority 1,488 42.7 Increase12.5
Registered electors 11,468
Turnout 3,536 30.8 Increase0.3
Rejected ballots 53 1.5 Increase1.0
Labour hold Swing Increase6.3
Close

[65][66]

Eastham

More information Party, Candidate ...
Eastham
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Phillip Gilchrist[47] 2,497 63.2 Increase8.2
Labour Shab Syed[67] 792 20.1 Decrease6.9
Conservative Paul Connolly 488 12.4 Increase1.8
Green Percy Hogg[56] 171 4.3 Decrease3.2
Majority 1,705 43.2 Increase15.2
Registered electors 11,069
Turnout 3,972 35.9 Decrease2.2
Rejected ballots 24 0.6 Decrease0.2
Liberal Democrats hold Swing Increase7.6
Close

[68][69]

Greasby, Frankby and Irby

More information Party, Candidate ...
Greasby, Frankby and Irby
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tom Anderson[47] 2,755 54.3 Increase2.0
Labour Gail Jenkinson[44] 1,585 31.2 Increase13.6
Green Cathy Page[56] 428 8.4 Decrease4.3
Liberal Democrats Mike Redfern 306 6.0 Decrease5.0
Majority 1,170 23.1 Decrease11.5
Registered electors 11,593
Turnout 5,119 44.2 Decrease3.2
Rejected ballots 45 0.9 Increase0.6
Conservative hold Swing Decrease5.8
Close

[70][71]

Heswall

More information Party, Candidate ...
Heswall
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Kathy Hodson[47] 2,785 56.1 Decrease4.0
Labour Giuseppe Roberto[44] 1,118 22.5 Increase10.0
Liberal Democrats Robert Thompson 535 10.8 Decrease2.6
Green Barbara Burton[56] 468 9.4 Decrease4.7
Reform Ken Ferguson 60 1.2 New
Majority 1,667 33.6 Decrease12.4
Registered electors 10,903
Turnout 5,021 46.1 Increase1.3
Rejected ballots 55 1.1 Increase0.3
Conservative hold Swing Decrease6.2
Close

[72][73]

Hoylake and Meols

More information Party, Candidate ...
Hoylake and Meols
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Andrew Gardner[47] 2,532 52.7 Increase2.4
Labour Matt Houghton[44] 1,391 28.9 Increase6.8
Green Alix Cockcroft[56] 548 11.4 Decrease5.9
Liberal Democrats Peter Reisdorf 335 7.0 Decrease3.3
Majority 1,141 23.7 Decrease4.4
Registered electors 10,575
Turnout 4,850 45.9 Increase2.2
Rejected ballots 44 0.9 Decrease0.2
Conservative hold Swing Decrease2.2
Close

[74][75][76]

Leasowe and Moreton East

More information Party, Candidate ...
Leasowe and Moreton East
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Helen Collinson 1,943 54.1 Increase6.2
Conservative Debbie Caplin[77] 1,409 39.2 Decrease0.4
Green Michael Dixon[56] 175 4.9 Decrease7.6
Liberal Democrats John Mullins 64 1.8 New
Majority 534 14.9 Increase6.6
Registered electors 11,118
Turnout 3,631 32.7 Decrease1.1
Rejected ballots 40 1.1 Steady
Labour hold Swing Increase3.3
Close

[78][79]

Liscard

More information Party, Candidate ...
Liscard
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour David Brennan[21] 1,898 56.9 Increase5.9
Conservative Jane Owens[77] 875 26.2 Increase8.3
Green Perle Sheldricks[56] 271 8.1 Decrease2.5
Liberal Democrats Sue Arrowsmith 221 6.6 Decrease2.8
Reform Dave Sharp 71 2.1 New
Majority 1,023 30.7 Decrease2.4
Registered electors 11,405
Turnout 3,377 29.6 Decrease1.3
Rejected ballots 41 1.2 Increase0.2
Labour hold Swing Decrease1.2
Close

[80][81]

Moreton West and Saughall Massie

More information Party, Candidate ...
Moreton West and Saughall Massie
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Max Booth[77] 2,206 56.2 Decrease7.2
Labour Nicole Williams[82] 1,320 33.6 Increase7.1
Green Helen O'Donnell[56] 256 6.5 Decrease1.1
Liberal Democrats David Tyrrell 84 2.1 Decrease0.4
Reform Paul Whelligan 60 1.5 New
Majority 886 22.6 Decrease14.2
Registered electors 10,763
Turnout 3,977 37.0 Decrease3.9
Rejected ballots 51 1.3 Increase0.2
Conservative hold Swing Decrease7.2
Close

[83][84]

New Brighton

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Brighton (2)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Tony Jones[44] [n 2] 2,204 55.1 Decrease1.9
Labour Paul Martin[44] [n 3] 1,835 45.9 Decrease11.1
Conservative Tony Pritchard[77] 1,230 30.8 Increase13.5
Conservative Darren May[77] 923 23.1 Increase5.8
Green Moira Gommon[56] 492 12.3 Decrease1.4
Green Cynthia Stonall[56] 433 10.8 Decrease2.9
Liberal Democrats Adam Keenan 214 5.4 Decrease1.1
Liberal Democrats Charlie Smethurst 184 4.6 Decrease1.9
Majority 974 23.5 Decrease16.2
Registered electors 11,476
Turnout 4,014 35.0 Decrease0.3
Rejected ballots 17 0.4 Steady
Labour hold Swing Decrease8.1
Labour hold Swing —
Close

[85][86][87]

Oxton

More information Party, Candidate ...
Oxton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Stuart Kelly[47] 2,311 57.0 Decrease2.8
Labour Paul Jobson[44] 1,050 25.9 Decrease3.7
Conservative Phil Merry 328 8.1 Increase3.1
Green Judith Grier[56] 306 7.5 New
Reform Philip Griffiths 58 1.4 New
Majority 1,261 31.1 Increase0.8
Registered electors 11,020
Turnout 37.2 4,097 Decrease3.0
Rejected ballots 44 1.1 Increase0.8
Liberal Democrats hold Swing Increase0.5
Close

[88][89]

Pensby and Thingwall

More information Party, Candidate ...
Pensby and Thingwall
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Ivan Camphor[90] 2,234 48.4 Increase3.6
Labour Tim Watson[18] 1,676 36.3 Increase1.6
Green Allen Burton[56] 453 9.8 Decrease4.4
Liberal Democrats Phil Waterfield 257 5.6 Decrease0.6
Majority 558 12.1 Increase2.0
Registered electors 10,492
Turnout 4,665 44.5 Decrease3.1
Rejected ballots 45 1.0 Increase0.3
Conservative gain from Independent Swing Increase1.0
Close

[91][92]

Prenton

More information Party, Candidate ...
Prenton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Harry Gorman[20] 2,235 54.5 Decrease9.1
Labour Angie Davies[18] 1,441 35.2 Increase3.2
Conservative Hilary Jones 336 8.2 Increase3.8
Liberal Democrats Lucy Johnson 87 2.1 New
Majority 794 19.4 Decrease12.2
Registered electors 10,991
Turnout 4,130 37.6 Decrease4.4
Rejected ballots 31 0.8 Increase0.1
Green gain from Labour Swing Decrease6.2
Close

[93][94][95]

Rock Ferry

More information Party, Candidate ...
Rock Ferry
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Clare O'Hagan[18] 1,521 55.7 Increase10.7
Independent Stephen Davies[96] 547 20.0 Decrease18.5
Conservative Nick Hanna 296 10.8 Increase5.2
Green Craig McDonald[56] 271 9.9 Decrease1.1
Liberal Democrats Tom Sutton 95 3.5 New
Majority 974 35.7 Increase29.2
Registered electors 10,269
Turnout 2,779 27.1 Decrease1.4
Rejected ballots 49 1.8 Increase1.3
Labour gain from Independent Swing Increase14.6
Close

[97][98]

Seacombe

More information Party, Candidate ...
Seacombe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Paul Stuart[44] 1,597 69.6 Increase5.7
Conservative Vida Wilson[77] 405 17.7 Increase8.3
Green Hilary Cullen[56] 208 9.1 Decrease2.4
Liberal Democrats Anthony Morris 83 3.6 New
Majority 1,192 52.0 Increase3.3
Registered electors 10,294
Turnout 2,320 22.5 Decrease2.1
Rejected ballots 27 1.2 Increase0.5
Labour hold Swing Increase1.6
Close

[99][100]

Upton

More information Party, Candidate ...
Upton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Jean Robinson[44] 1,960 55.2 Increase5.8
Conservative Emma Sellman[101] 1,017 28.6 Increase2.5
Green Lily Clough[56] 432 12.2 Decrease5.5
Liberal Democrats Alan Davies 143 4.0 Decrease2.8
Majority 943 26.5 Increase3.2
Registered electors 12,409
Turnout 3,589 28.9 Decrease0.8
Rejected ballots 37 1.0 Decrease0.1
Labour hold Swing Increase1.7
Close

[102][103]

Wallasey

More information Party, Candidate ...
Wallasey
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Ian Lewis[77] 2,567 49.8 Decrease2.8
Labour Tom Usher[22] [n 4] 2,135 41.4 Increase9.3
Green Rachel Heydon[56] 297 5.8 Decrease0.6
Liberal Democrats John Codling 160 3.1 Decrease1.5
Majority 432 8.4 Decrease12.1
Registered electors 11,727
Turnout 5,211 44.4 Decrease0.8
Rejected ballots 52 1.0 Increase0.7
Conservative hold Swing Decrease6.1
Close

[104][105][106]

West Kirby and Thurstaston

More information Party, Candidate ...
West Kirby and Thurstaston
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Simon Mountney[28] 2,650 56.7 Increase1.6
Labour Louise Reecejones[107] 1,228 26.3 Increase5.5
Green Yvonne McGinley[56] 571 12.2 Decrease3.6
Liberal Democrats Orod Osanlou 224 4.8 Decrease3.5
Majority 1,422 30.4 Decrease3.9
Registered electors 10,326
Turnout 4,712 45.6 Increase0.1
Rejected ballots 39 0.8 Increase0.1
Conservative hold Swing Decrease2.0
Close

[108][109][110]

Changes between 2021 and 2022

Liscard by-election 2021

Cllr Sarah Spoor, first elected in 2018, announced her resignation on 4 June 2021.[111] A casual vacancy was announced on the 7th.[112]

More information Party, Candidate ...
By-election, 22 July 2021: Liscard
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Daisy Kenny[113] 1,137 53.6 Decrease3.3
Conservative Jane Owens[114] 582 27.4 Increase1.2
Liberal Democrats Sue Arrowsmith[113] 201 9.5 Increase2.9
Green Edward Lamb[113] 109 5.1 Decrease3.0
Independent Lynda Williams 68 3.2 New
For Britain Gary Bergin 26 1.2 New
Majority 555 26.1 Decrease4.6
Registered electors 11,399
Turnout 2,128 18.7 Decrease10.9
Rejected ballots 5 0.2 Decrease1.0
Labour hold Swing Decrease2.3
Close

[115][116]

Oxton by-election 2021

Cllr Andy Corkhill, first elected in 2019, died of cancer at the age of 36 on 4 October 2021.[117] A casual vacancy was announced on the 20th.[118]

More information Party, Candidate ...
By-election, 25 November 2021: Oxton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Orod Osanlou 1,666 68.3 Increase11.3
Labour Co-op Sue Mahoney[119] 460 18.8 Decrease7.1
Conservative Philip Merry 168 6.9 Decrease1.2
Green Mary Heydon 147 6.0 Decrease1.5
Majority 1,206 49.4 Increase18.3
Registered electors 10,795
Turnout 22.7 2,447 Decrease14.5
Rejected ballots 6 0.2 Decrease0.9
Liberal Democrats hold Swing Increase9.2
Close

[120]

Other changes

More information Date, Ward ...
Date Ward Name Previous affiliation New affiliation Circumstance
19 November 2021 Bromborough Jo Bird Labour Co-op Independent Expelled.[121]
Close

See also

Notes

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

  1. [1]
    % of total refers to % of wards won.
  2. [2]
    Elected to serve a 3-year term.
  3. [3]
    Elected to serve a 2-year term.
  4. [4]
    Incumbent councillor for Liscard ward.

References

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