Rotheram secures Liverpool City Region mayoral nomination
Steve Rotheram has become the second central government politician in as many days to win Labour members’ support to stand for new metro mayor positions, defeating Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson to the nomination for the May 2017 election to head Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
On Tuesday, Leigh MP Andy Burnham won the Labour nomination for Greater Manchester.
Rotheram has been Liverpool Walton MP since 2010. He was previously a councillor in Liverpool. He beat Anderson and Luciana Berger, Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree, in a vote of local Labour members.
The result was as follows: Round 1: Rotheram 2,029, Anderson 1,641, Berger 1,202. Round 2: Rotheram 2,670, Anderson 2,042. Turnout: 72%. (4,955 votes, 83 invalid).
Rotheram is one of Jeremy Corbyn’ aides in the House of Commons. Rotheram said: “Incredibly humbled to be selected as Labour’s candidate for Metro Mayor. Thank you to everybody who supported me.”
The Liverpool City Region comprises Liverpool, St Helens, Knowsley, Sefton, Wirral and Halton.
Anderson said: “Heartbroken but determined to continue as Mayor to work for Liverpool and the greatest city region in the world.”
Candidates for the other main parties have yet to be announced.
Awful choice. This is the man who wants to build more social housing almost suggesting that this city has a massive shortage. Feels like a massive step back. The only viable candidate in my view was Luciana Berger
By CMW
I hope there are candidates of greater calibre who come forward from other parties or independents.
Having either met or worked with all three Labour candidates, Luciana was the best option in my opinion.
By Man on bicycle
“Almost suggesting this city has a shortage”. No, saying quite squarely the city has a shortage of quality affordable housing. I have confidence Rotherham would be one of the few city leaders to effectively address the housing shortage locally.
But then we all work in property so we probably benefit from the shortage don’t we
By zebith
You would expect a Labour candidate to spell out the social issues as he sees them, that doesn’t mean he’s not capable of seeing the bigger economic picture too. Both are necessary to improve people’s quality of life. Let’s give him a chance.
By Alfie
This city does have enough affordable housing, fact. Too much in north Liverpool in fact. Having worked in social housing in this city region for over 10 years I am puzzled why this myth is peddled. Ask yourself why so many landlords in this city on a weekly basis advertise readily available properties, and not always in the areas you would argue back are not quality. Or is it because people have become too picky and want evetything new? Just a thought
By CMW
1) Social housing tenants have a right to choose a decent home
2) “Normal” tenants (i.e. private rented) have a right to not put up with unscrupulous private landlords.
More affordable housing will help all who rent. I fail to see how it is a bad thing.
By zebith
Joe Anderson seemed a nice man,but to be fair,Rotherham came across as nice on Granada Reports today.What we don’t want though is a re run of the Hatton scenario in the 80s.Liverpool needs to keep Westminster on side.
By Elephant
No risk of that, those days are well behind us.
By Altmouth
Thank goodness. Possibly my second choice, but definitely, absolutely, positively not my last.
Liverpool’s chance of having a proper future may have just taken a step up.
By Mike
I think Steve will make a good advocate for the city, he comes over very well and is as passionate about the city as the rest of us.
By Alfie
He certainly has a big job on his hands in a city that has become accustomed to surviving on government largesse for so long. No more favouritism toward Liverpool / Merseyside if the all parts of the north are to benefit from economic opportunity and a decent quality of life.
By Northern Scousehouse
I think Manchester has had the largesse if you can call it that recently. Liverpool used to get more European money but not for a long time now.
By Alfie
That’s what Liverpudlians like to make out but it’s not nearly true. Regeneration funding always goes to the most deprived areas – that’s how those policies are designed. Ergo, Merseyside reaps more government funding.
By Northern Scousehouse