PRESS RELEASE
Issued by:
Councillor Stuart Kelly
Leader, Liberal Democrat Group
Date of Issue: May 12th 2006
Contact numbers:
0151 653 9077
07771 981 045

ELECTION RESULTS 2006

“A ringing endorsement from people who know how hard we work.”

As the only party in Wirral to make ground in the local elections, the Liberal Democrats are understandably pleased with the positive endorsement they have had from Wirral's electorate.

Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Stuart Kelly said,

“With six seats successfully defended and one gain, we're delighted to have done so well. People on the doorsteps were telling us how much the hard work of the Liberal Democrats was appreciated and this is reflected in our results.

“The highest turnout and some of the highest majorities occurred in Liberal Democrat wards, and we are the only party to have made steady increases in seats over the last ten years. This year we are the only party that can point to a net gain: in spite of a hard fought Conservative campaign, we took back Pensby/Thingwall and were delighted by the support we received there.

“We now hold 19 seats on the Council and nationally we made gains for the fifth year running and pushed Labour into third place in share of the vote. Here on Wirral we polled only 400 less votes than Labour across Wirral

“Wirral people told us they wanted a safe, clean environment and good local affordable services, and we were able to point to positive achievements: the return of the free ERIC sevice; the reversal of library hours cuts; increases in doorstep recycling.

“People were also positive about our policies for the future; putting local communities at the heart of what we do and championing our neighbourhoods; money to fight crime and measures to tackle anti-social behaviour; and campaigning to restore pride in our local communities.

“These positive achievements and policies have resulted in a ringing endorsement from people who know how hard we work, and we will continue to work for them all year round.