Carl Cashman
Liberal Democrat Politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Carl Cashman is an English-French[1] politician who has served as the councillor for Church ward on the Liverpool City Council since 2023, he also serves as the leader of the Liverpool Liberal Democrats, the second largest party group on the city council, making him Leader of the Opposition on the Liverpool City Council.[2][3]
France
Carl Cashman | |
|---|---|
 Cashman at Young Liberals Summer Conference in 2025 | |
| Liverpool City Councillor for Church | |
| Assumed office 3 May 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Kemp |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 1991 (age 34) |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom France |
| Party | Liberal Democrats |
| University of Liverpool | |
| Website | www.carlcashman.org |
He previously served as a councillor on Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, and has previously attempted to run for Mayor of the Liverpool City Region in 2017, and Member of Parliament for Knowsley in 2015 and 2017.[4][5]
Early life
Cashman is from the Liverpool City Region. Born to an English-French mother, Cashman holds French citizenship from his mother alongside his British Citizenship.[6] He attended the University of Liverpool, reading joint honours in Philosophy and Politics[7] where he was briefly taught by Professor Stuart Wilks-Heeg,[8][9] author of Local Government from Thatcher to Blair: The Politics of Creative Autonomy.[10]
Career
Cashman was first elected as a councillor in 2016, for Prescot North in Prescot.[11][12] He became councillor for the Church ward in 2023.[13] The ward includes areas of Mossley Hill, Wavertree, and Childwall, notably including Liverpool Blue Coat School, Picton Clock Tower, Wavertree Lock-up, King David High School, and Penny Lane.
Since local councillors are unpaid, Cashman works as a mortgage broker.[14]
Local party leadership
Cashman was formerly the leader of the Knowsley Liberal Democrats. He is the current leader of the Liverpool branch of the party,[15] a position he has held since 2023. He replaced former leader Richard Kemp after an 11-year stint as local party leader.
Mayoral candidacy
Cashman ran against Steve Rotheram in the 2017 Liverpool City Region mayoral election. He lost to Rotheram, receiving 19,751 votes, 6.8% of the total.[16] Cashman stood with policies including the foundation of a representative office for Liverpool in Brussels, support for E.U. membership, protecting green space, and removing tolls for Liverpool's tunnels.[citation needed]
Media attention
Cashman received media attention for his appearance, and was dubbed 'Britain's sexiest politician'.[17] He was the subject of an American right-wing Twitter discussion garnering millions of views, wrongly calling him 'Conservative Chad'.[18] Cashman responded in an interview with The Tab, saying:
If it strengthens the liberal cause, and puts the lens on my city and its incredibly good looking population, then I'll take that. As for calling me a normie Conservative Chad, I couldn't be further from that. I'm what he would call a lefty liberal, his worst nightmare!
Cashman is popular in the LGBTQ community for his defence of gay rights.[according to whom?] He was interviewed on his personal life and politics by drag queen Tiara Skye in Soho.[19]