Tories retain seat in Wirral by-election

Dec 2 2009 by Vicky Anderson, Heswall News

THE Conservatives retained their seat in the Wirral by-election last week, the first in the borough since the Strategic Asset Review that threatened public services including the closure of 11 libraries.

First-time candidate Steve Williams won the seat in the Moreton West and Saughall Massie ward with 73%of the vote, in a by-election called after the sudden death of Cllr Suzanne Moseley earlier this year.

There was a 28% voter turnout in the Tory stronghold, of which 2,255 voted for the new councillor. The party called it “a resounding result”.

Labour lagged behind in second place with candidate Andrew Hollingworth receiving 615 votes.

Lib Dem Steve Pitt had 134 votes; independent Alec McFadden came in on 121 and Green party candidate Jim McGinley recieved 92 votes.

Jeff Green, leader of the Conservatives in Wirral, said the victory had been “an absolutely resounding result” for the party, which had stood against plans to close 11 of the borough’s libraries.

Cllr Williams said: “It is exciting and I’m looking forward to being a councillor.

“I have met a lot of people and listened to their views and it is amazing to see just how much is going on.”

TUC leader Alec McFadden, who stood as an independent on a platform supporting Wirral Campaign Against the Cuts, said: “The voters have continued to stand by the Conservatives, however, in five months’ time it will be a different situation when the three main parties will again be going for cuts.”