Parties reveal candidates in Wirral by-election

Oct 28 2009 by Matt Hurst, Heswall News

THE major parties have revealed their chosen candidates for the Moreton by-election – and Merseyside TUC president Alec McFadden will join them on the ballot.

A by-election for the Moreton West and Saughall Massie seat was triggered in the wake of the premature death of incumbent Conservative councillor, Suzanne Moseley this summer.

The vote will take place on November 26, and is the first political ballot since the strategic asset review (SAR) controversy and the council’s U-turn on library provision.

The News unveiled the Conservative candidate Steve Williams two weeks ago, and the party will feel confident of retaining the seat in a ward it has dominated.

But they face an interesting challenge from Wirral Campaign Against the Cuts (WCAC), a group that rose from the ashes of the culture closures.

President of Merseyside TUC, Alec McFadden told the News he will stand on WCAC’s platform, but will appear on the ballot sheet as an independent because WCAC has yet to be registered as a bona fide political party.

Mr McFadden, who lives in Wallasey, will stand on an anti-cuts and anti-privatisation ticket.

The Conservatives have a significant hold on the ward, and the late Suzanne Moseley was returned in 2007, with 1,422 votes more than her nearest challenger.

Labour has named 24-year-old Andrew Hollingworth, who lives in Leasowe and works for the NHS, as its chosen candidate.

Constituency secretary Anne McArdle said: “We’re pleased that he’s been chosen and welcome a young person making his first in-roads into council.”

Mr Hollingworth will campaign on “local issues and Labour values”.

The Liberal Democrats will be looking to significantly improve their standing in Moreton West and Saughall Massie.

Wallasey born Steve Pitt, 53, a former Army man, will stand for a party which has historically trailed its major rivals by a significant number of votes in the ward.