A former deputy leader of Knowsley Council had made the longlist of candidates to be Labour’s representative in the West Lancashire by-election.
Louise Harbour will face a challenge from six other hopefuls to stand for the party following the resignation of incumbent Rosie Cooper last month. Ms Cooper, who has held the seat for 17 years, is stepping down to take the role of chair of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.
In May, Ms Harbour was ousted from her seat on Knowsley Council, becoming the second deputy leader in as many years to lose the Whitefield ward in Kirkby. Labour has now confirmed she has been longlisted as a potential candidate for the impending vote.
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She is joined by Ashley Dalton, Michael Denoual, Skelmersdale West councillor Julie Gibson, Ormskirk councillor Cllr Nicola Hennessy, and Cllr Adam Yates who represents Knowsley ward on West Lancashire Borough Council. The most high profile opponent Ms Harbour will face is Emma Fox, daughter of Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of the House of Commons.
Ms Cooper’s resignation came after she had been reselected by Labour to stand again in the next general election. Former councillor Harbour took to Twitter on Monday afternoon to confirm she had put herself forward for the now vacant position.
She tweeted: “I have taken the leap and have submitted my application to begin the selection process to be the Labour candidate for West Lancashire.” In the 2021 Knowsley Council elections, Labour’s former deputy leader Sean Donnelly also lost his seat in the same ward to former firefighter Steve Smith.
Ms Harbour’s candidacy was backed by Cllr Graham Morgan, her former boss and leader of Knowsley. He replied to her announcement on Twitter to offer his support, writing: “Louise will make a fantastic MP for the people of West Lancashire, good luck.”
Outgoing MP Ms Cooper was first elected in 2005, having previously served as a Liverpool city councillor from 1973 until 2000, and a year as Lord Mayor in 1992.
Among those linked with the candidacy since Ms Cooper announced her intention to step down were Theresa Griffin, former Liverpool city councillor and Labour member of the European Parliament.
One person who said they were definitely not seeking the nomination was Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester. The former Parliamentarian said it is “very likely” he will stand for a third term as Mayor and did not put his name forward to return to Westminster at this stage.
A date for the by-election has yet to be confirmed.
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