Battle lines drawn for Wirral council by-election

Dec 5 2012 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

COMEDIENNE Pauline Daniels has pledged to make being a councillor her first priority if elected at next January’s by election.

The local actress was selected by the Labour Party to defend the Leasowe and Moreton East seat, won earlier this year by Anne McArdle who died last month.

Pauline, who is currently rehearsing for the Cinderella pantomime at the Liverpool Empire, admitted friends and colleagues had been surprised.

The popular comic said: “They think I have a reasonably easy life and am used to people liking me, and how am I going to handle people booing?

“That is something I will find difficult, but after 32 years of being heckled I think I’ll be fine.

“But I can tell you, this Stand Up will stand up and be heard for the people in Leasowe and Moreton.”

Pauline said she had been a long time Labour supporter and joined the party last year, and despite her busy performing career “the most important thing is being a councillor in Wirral – it will be my priority”.

Standing against her is former Conservative councillor for the ward Ian Lewis, who was ousted at the last election but has continued to work with the local community on key projects, from helping set up the Leasowe Community Allotments Society and being chairman of the local play, youth and community association

He said: “The communities of Moreton and Leasowe needs a councillor who will work all year round on the day-to-day issues faced by residents.

“Whatever happens at the election in January, the result won't affect Labour's control of the Town Hall.

“That means people can vote pure and simply for the person who they think can best represent the area, regardless of Party politics.”

Official notice of by-elections in Heswall and Leasowe and Moreton East wards will be posted on December 7, with a poll on Thursday January 17.