Liverpool Council's ruling Labour group has elected Liam Robinson as its new leader.
Cllr Robinson, who has represented the Kensington and Fairfield ward for the council since 2008, was voted in as the group's new leader at a meeting this evening. He defeated fellow shortlisted candidates Cllr Liz Parsons and group chief whip, Cllr Ruth Bennet in the process.
The three shortlisted candidates delivered their pitches at the town hall tonight at a closed door Labour meeting. Sources at the meeting told the ECHO that Cllr Robinson "smashed it" with his speech and was voted in as the group's new leader. There was only one round of voting, meaning Cllr Robinson won comfortably.
The 40-year-old now takes over the position of Labour group leader from current Mayor Joanne Anderson. Mayor Anderson will however continue in her role as mayor and city leader until May's elections, when she will leave the council altogether.
As the new group leader, Cllr Robinson will focus his attention on Labour's campaign for those all out elections in May. He will also try to prepare the group for life after the mayor and the position she holds, with the council set to revert back to a leader and cabinet model from May onwards. Mayor Anderson will continue with her work setting the local authority's budget for the next year with £73m further cuts to be made.
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Under the returning leader and cabinet system, the leader of the biggest party after May's elections will become the new leader of Liverpool City Council. While Liverpool Labour has had plenty of well-documented troubles in recent years, they will remain favourites to hold a majority on the council following those votes - in which case Cllr Robinson would become the new city leader after May.
He is seen by many across the group as a safe pair of hands, something that is badly needed for a Labour group hit by scandal and infighting in recent years. The city council and its ruling party is still very much recovering from a damning government inspection report last year and the arrests of senior council figures that sparked it.
Because of that report, whoever goes on to lead the council next will have to work closely with a team of government commissioners who have been appointed to oversee most of the key functions of the troubled city council. Initially the commissioners were operating in a few departments but a recent expansion of their remit means they now have powers over finance, recruitment and governance.
Sources have told the ECHO that they believe Cllr Robinson is the best placed person to work with the commissioners as the council looks to try and rebuild, move on and work its way out of the government intervention altogether. And after years of divisions and factions within the Liverpool Labour group, he is seen as someone who would work collegiately to try and bring the group together.
Elected to the council 14 years ago, Cllr Robinson is perhaps most well known for his long-term role as chair of the Liverpool City Region transport authority - previously known as Merseytravel. In this role he has worked with other agencies - including government - and has developed a close and trusted relationship with Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram.
His stock has grown further in recent months after he stepped in as the city council's cabinet member for neighbourhoods when Abdul Qadir had to step down because of a development investigation. Cllr Robinson is thought to have done a solid job in the interim role.
One Labour source said: "After Labour’s recent setbacks and scandals, Liam is seen as a safe pair of hands. He's not exactly political Hollywood but is competent and has proven his ability as a good cabinet member and as chair of Merseytravel. He is popular and has never been embroiled in group infighting or part of any faction."
Commenting on his election, Cllr Robinson said: “It is an honour to be elected as the leader of Liverpool Labour Group. Our city faces extraordinarily difficult times ahead. The economic crisis made in Downing Street is putting ever greater pressures on ordinary people while, after twelve long years of austerity, further Conservative cuts are on the way.
“Despite all the challenges we face, I am excited to be taking on this role. Liverpool still has a bright future ahead of it and I want to do my bit to ensure that our next chapter is an exciting and successful one. If anyone has the grit, determination and creativity to make that vision a reality, it is Scousers.
“I am under no illusions, though, that the hard work starts now. My promise to the people of Liverpool is this: we do not and never will take your support for granted. We will be working flat out – alongside our Labour Mayor, Metro Mayor, MPs and PCC – to earn your trust to shape our city’s future. I want to lead a strong and committed Labour team that builds a city that puts our people first, ensuring that all our residents in all parts of the city can share in our success.”
Responding to Liam Robinson’s election, the Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, added: “I extend my warmest wishes to Liam Robinson on his election as the new leader of the Labour group. Liam joined my cabinet earlier this year – he is intelligent, hard-working and committed to the people of Liverpool. I am confident he will make an excellent leader.
“My role as mayor remains unchanged, and I look forward to working with him as we campaign for a fair funding settlement for the city until my term ends in May 2023.”
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