Labour lost three seats in Wirral Council’s elections on Thursday, putting the council on even more of a knife-edge than it was already on.
However, the party gained two seats, picking one up from a councillor who defected from Labour after being elected in Rock Ferry in 2018 before standing down, as well as a seat in Leasowe and Moreton East which was previously vacant, meaning it is still the largest party in Wirral, two seats ahead of the Conservatives. After a tense night, in which Labour boosted its vote share compared to 2021 and 2019 but lost key seats, all sides were trying to claim the night was a success for them.
Labour and the Tories passed a controversial £20m cuts package in February, something the Greens and the Lib Dems opposed. Thursday’s vote gave electors a chance to cast their verdict on this and national issues such as ‘Partygate’ and the cost of living crisis.
