Labour’s women get the votes

WEST Lancashire’s Labour Party has hailed the success of women in the recent elections.

It said that it was fitting that in 2018, the centenary of the first women winning the right to vote in the UK, the local elections had delivered historic victories for women councillors in the borough.

After Labour took seats in Burscough and North Meols, and retained seats in Ormskirk and Skelmersdale with women candidates, the balance of the West Lancashire Labour Group is now almost 50% women to men.

Of the 33 seats on the council held by the party, 16 are now held by women.

All five new Labour councillors are women, which has led to a significant improvement in the gender balance of the council.

The deputy leader of the council, Cllr Yvonne Gagen said: “This is a fantastic result for all women across the Borough of West Lancashire, as it brings a greater representative balance to the council.

“Each of our new councillors went through a rigorous selection process and was chosen by their local residents as outstanding candidates for their wards.

“They all went on to fight a determined campaign, just like the women who fought for our right to vote 100 years ago.

“The Labour Party is committed to gender equality in politics and we are immensely proud that West Lancashire is leading the way locally in achieving this.”

The new Labour councillors elected on May 3 are:

Burscough East Ward: Cllr Sue Evans.

Burscough West Ward: Cllr Cynthia Dereli.

Ormskirk Knowsley Ward: Cllr Michelle Aldridge.

North Meols Ward: Cllr Kath Lockie.

Skelmersdale South Ward: Cllr Vickie Cummins.