Carl Cashman
Liberal Democrat Politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Carl Cashman is an English-French[1] politician. He serves as leader of the opposition in Liverpool City Council, representing the Church ward.[2] He is the leader of the Liberal Democrats in Liverpool, and led the party's chapter in Knowsley.[3]
Carl Cashman | |
|---|---|
 Cashman at Young Liberals Summer Conference in 2025 | |
| Liverpool City Councillor for Church | |
| Assumed office 3 May 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Kemp |
| Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Liverpool Leader of the Opposition | |
| Assumed office 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Kemp |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 1991 (age 34) |
| Party | Liberal Democrats |
| Alma mater | University of Liverpool |
| Website | www.carlcashman.org |
Early life
Cashman is from the Liverpool city region. Born to an English-French mother, Cashman holds French citizenship from his mother.[4] He attended the University of Liverpool, reading joint honours in Philosophy and Politics[5] where he was briefly taught by Professor Stuart Wilks-Heeg,[6][7] author of Local Government from Thatcher to Blair: The Politics of Creative Autonomy.[8]
Career
Cashman was first elected as a councillor in 2016, for Prescot North in Prescot.[9][10] He became councillor for the Church ward in 2023.[11] 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.[12]
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,[13] 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.[14] 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'.[15] He was the subject of an American right-wing Twitter discussion garnering millions of views, wrongly calling him 'Conservative Chad'.[16] 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.[17]