All eyes on Kew in today’s council elections

All eyes on Kew in today’s council elections

Veteran Southport journalist Martin Hovden writes: Watch out for the result in Kew in today’s Sefton Council elections.

The ward has been a Liberal Democrat stronghold for years, but Labour have waged a vigorous campaign to win the seat in recent months.

Lib Dem candidate Fred Weavers is well-known in the area, but upset some residents when he and fellow Lib Dem ward councillors refused to financially support a young mums’ fight to save the play area next to Kew Woods School.

Labour’s Janis Blackburne and her team have been very active in the run-up to today’s election. In fact as a Kew resident I’ve had three knocks on the door by Labour campaigners, plus one by Green Party candidate Rob Doyle – but none from Lib Dem Fred. However, when I met him earlier today at the polling station, he pointed out I was never in when he called.

It’s a straight fight between the Lib Dems and Labour in Kew. Both are cautiously optimistic,so it should be very close. If Labour do win it will be another blow to the Lib Dems who are still smarting after their candidate Sue McGuire was pushed into third place by Labour’s Liz Savage in last year’s general election.

Another result to watch out is the Dukes ward. Tory Sir Ron Watson is hoping to return to Sefton Council, but two of the ward’s three seats are now occupied by Lib Dems since he represented the area.

And keeping a very close watch on all the results in Southport will be the town’s Tory MP Damien Moore. Was his victory in 2017 a fluke or are the Tories still on the march in the resort?

You have until 10pm to cast your vote – don’t waste it! The results will start coming through just after midnight.