For Denise, in Southport the only way is up?

Photo: Councillor Denise Dutton

For Denise, in Southport the only way is up?

Formby Councillor Denise Dutton has taken over leadership of the Sefton Conservatives at a time when they are at rock bottom.

Once dominating Sefton Council with a 46-strong group, the Conservatives are presently reduced to a mere 6 councillors plus one suspended independent. This is only slightly more than the new Sefton independent group who could well overtake the Tories in 2018. Even this total of councillors flatters the Conservatives since they won their only current three council seats in Southport on the back of the General Election in 2015 which they well might otherwise have lost.

In 2014, the Conservatives’ vote share and tally in Southport was the worst it had ever been.  in 2015 the Conservatives’ vote share and tally in Southport was the worst it had ever been in any general election. In 2016, the Conservatives vote share and tally was the worst it had ever been. Considerably less than 20 per cent of the vote in a town where they once scored overall majorities.

So, for Denise, in Southport, the only way is up?