Voters will go to the polls in the ward on January 23
Voters will go to the polls in the ward on January 23(Image: PA)
A full list of candidates has been confirmed to contest a Liverpool Council by-election following the sudden resignation of a member through ill health. Last month, Dave Aizlewood, who represented the Liberal Democrats in Much Woolton and Hunts Cross, confirmed he would leave his position with immediate effect.
Mr Aizlewood, who was elected to his position in the all-out city council ballot in 2023, confirmed the decision in a letter to Andrew Lewis, chief executive of Liverpool Council. He said it has been a “great honour” to serve his community but could no longer continue in post owing to his health.
Ahead of an election being held later this month, the local authority has confirmed a total of five candidates will contest the seat the Liberal Democrats seek to defend. If they are successful, it will put an end to Labour’s 27 year by-election win streak in Liverpool having last lost a mid-term vote in 1997 in the former Melrose ward vote.
Former councillor Josie Mullen is seeking to return to the town hall for the Liberal Democrats where she served for a decade before campaigning for the Green Party. She was beaten into second place in a by-election for the Broadgreen ward in July this year having previously stood in the area and Knotty Ash.
The Labour Party has put forward Tanya Blake to contest the vacancy while teacher Mike Bates will stand for the Green Party. Former UKIP city mayoral candidate Adam Heatherington will represent Reform UK having stood in last year’s general election in the Wavertree constituency and the 2023 council poll in Wavertree village.
Adam Marsden will contest the seat for the Conservatives having previously stood in a number of local authority and Parliamentary ballots. The candidates were confirmed by Mr Lewis on December 23.
Former councillor Mr Aizlewood thanked Mr Lewis, council staff and officers for their support during his time in post in a letter confirming his resignation. He was elected in May 2023 with 25% of the vote as one of then-two Liberal Democrat ward members for Much Woolton and Hunts Cross.
Former councillor Dave Aizlewood
In doing so, he unseated the incumbent member Carol Sung who was beaten into fourth place. The party now faces losing the area entirely after Cllr Mirna Juarez resigned from the group in August having said she no longer felt it was “home” to her.
Polls will open in the ward on Thursday January 23 from 7am to 10pm.