Liverpool elections (1st May 2008) The Liverpool Echo is the latest paper to predict that the May 1st elections in Liverpool may end with the Liberal Party holding the balance of power on the city council:
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/04/21/local-elections-08-all-to-play-for-it-s-your-call-100252-20792748/
About 2/3 of the way down the article:
Liberals
IF THIS year’s election results are too close to call the minority Liberal party will be thrust into the spotlight.
A hung council would give Cllr Steve Radford’s group the chance to team up with either the Lib Dems or Labour to form a new administration.
And the group is crossing its fingers for the chance to be able to influence issues like the environment, housing and anti-social behaviour.
Cllr Radford is campaigning heavily on the introduction of more street wardens, preservation of parks and a halt to the demolition of ageing terraced homes.
He said: “I would urge anyone, even people who are not traditionally Liberal, to vote for us if they care about those issues. Because we are the only party who can make a difference. The Liberals could be critical to the way the council is run.”
Cllr Radford, who defends his own Tuebrook seat, currently has four councillors, including Lib Dem defector Ann Hines.
He hopes she will win again in West Derby for her new party and is also targeting Clubmoor, where Labour’s Ben Williams stands down.
TomWilde- 04-27-2008
Here is an election appeal sent out in Liverpool by Steve Radford, which I have just received by email:
Dear Friends
It is quite clear the Lib Dems will soon loose their slender majority in the city council. Early postal vote returns show a significant shift across wards, but it is far from consistent from ward to ward.
However, it is probable Labour will fail to win an overall majority. For those of us who recall the horrendous way Labour put council taxes up every year that must a a goalw worth achieveing.
A strong Liberal Party block in the city council may be the only way to block Labours spending excesses
As many of you will be aware Labour have been equally reckless as the Lib Dems in destroying thousands of terraced homes and building on our parks.
Therefore it is vital we maximise the Liberal Party votes and Liberal Party Council seats.
In Tuebrook , no other political party has delivered a single election leaflet, please don't be fooled into a sense of complacency. The only sure way for me to be re-elected is you the residents voting
In the West Derby ward the phoney Lib Dem candidate who lives in Russian Drive, Tuebrook is trying to unseat long serving Councillor Ann Hines. His desperation and lack of integrity is shown in him claiming he has lived in West Derby for 24 years. Since when has Russian Drive,m off Green Lane, Tuebrook been in West Derby ?
Would you trust a candidate who does not know where he lives?
Having been booted out by the voters of three wards, Kensington , Dovecot and Yew Tree we should not underestimate his desperation to find an easy ride elsewhere.
In Clubmoor Ward we have had a an excellent campaign and are striking at Labour neglect of this community
Their candidate was parachuted into the ward only three weeks ago, following the Ben Williams allegations becoming public
In Clubmoor the feeble Labour Councillors are claiming Liberals plan to close our Old Peoples homes, Leighton Dene and Boaler Street. The truth is on council record, all three Liberal Party Councillors voted against the closure whilst two of the three Clubmoor Labour Councillors did not even attend the council budget debate, let alone vote - bless them
The next four days are vital.
I am appealing to you all to each phone three friends for victory
If you can phone any friends in Eest Derby Ward urge them to re-elect Ann Hines with 14 years experience over the candidate who does not know where he lives
In Clubmoor Ward , which includes Larkhill, Morningside, Scarisbick and Florence Melly estate, a vote for Dennis Gaskell can break Labour's feeble three . Labour Councillors who neglect to vote in the council and neglect the needs of their ward don't deserve to be elected !
Phone three friends for Liberal Party Candidates in Clubmoor and West Derby and we can break the cycle of Lib Dem and Labour neglect and arrogance
Why not relay this e mail to freinds and colleagues too ?
Cllr Steve Radford
Liberal Party Group Leader
I know the Liberals in Liverpool have been working their backsides off, knocking on thousands of doors and delivering tens of thousands of leaflets in the target wards. Let's hope it works! And if you know anyone in Liverpool please forward Steve's message to them.
