Wirral’s council leader Janette Williamson was criticised by the Conservatives at a lively meeting on Monday night who argued she lacked ideas on local issues.
The comments from opposition leader Tom Anderson came during a fierce debate over votes on committing to protect council services and whether the council was against new government requirements for people to have ID at polling stations next May.
The Labour motion accused the government of seeking to “manipulate elections in a manner that demeans our democracy” arguing a “lack of clarity” and “short timetable to establish the system” could “leave hundreds of Wirral residents disenfranchised.”
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Cllr Anderson said Labour was “virtue signalling from central office” and asked Council leader Williamson, “has she got any ideas of her own about how she can affect residents' lives in this council and that we can change?”
He added “the residents of Wirral deserve better than that" and later brought up past controversial council plans for a golf resort, a bank and a cinema and asked Cllr Williamson what Labour have done for Wirral.
The Conservative-proposed motion called on councillors to provide “decent council services, paid for at a price families can afford,” adding “our residents expect the grass to be cut, and they expect the streets to be free from litter and potholes filled.”
Cllr Williamson hit back against the criticism: “Thank you Tom for your tired list of perceived misdemeanours. It’s like playing bingo every time you stand to speak.”
The motion was significantly changed after the other parties voted through an amended version criticising “a government that has inflicted 11 years of austerity on local councils” arguing 60p in every pound of public sector spending had been lost.
Cllr Williamson said: “Nobody would argue with the fact that people want their grass cut and clean streets but they also want a well-funded council that looks after the elderly and vulnerable children, that tackles health inequalities.”
She called comments made about her previous statements on council tax “baffling and at worst, disingenuous" and asked, "do the Conservatives opposite really believe their government is right to make council tax payers pay?”
The Conservatives ended up voting against the proposed motion after the amendment was added with the vote falling along party lines.
Voter ID proposals were passed by the government earlier this year and would be the first time ID is required at polling stations. There were six cases of voter fraud at the 2019 election but the Conservatives said this was six too many.
Labour argued the voter ID proposals were undemocratic, would discourage certain groups like young and poorer people from voting, and that the council was not prepared to handle potential issues with voters not realising identification will be required.
The Conservatives argued that it was necessary to prevent voter fraud and accused Labour of not addressing local issues. Cllr Ivan Camphor criticised Labour for focusing too much on national issues the council could have “little or no impact on."
He asked councillors to focus on local issues “rather than waste our time hour after hour to talk about something that has no relevance to our communities.”
Councillors also voted to put pressure on the Liverpool City Region to review its decision to reduce services to Bromborough Rake train station until its new fleet of trains comes in next year. Councillors heard fewer services was affecting people, particularly those with disabilities..
Councillors also called for free school meals for every child, criticised the Liz Truss government’s mini budget, and passed the motion against the introducting voter ID. Councillors also approved policies related to youth offenders and alcohol-related antisocial behaviour in Birkenhead.
Cllr Liz Grey, responding to a question on the management of Hoylake beach, argued the council was “much closer to a resolution and a management plan” which prompted disagreement from the Conservatives.
She confirmed options passed last week will be fleshed out, subject to an environmental assessment and approval from Natural England before going back to the public for the final vote.
