Former MP Pugh bids to return as councillor
FORMER Southport MP John Pugh could soon be back in politics – as he bids to become a councillor on Sefton Council.
The Liberal Democrat politician has revealed his interest in standing in the Dukes Ward by-election, which will take place in November after Conservative councillor Pat Ball announced her resignation.
The ward covers Southport town centre and parts of Birkdale.
Cllr Ball, former owner of The Shelbourne Hotel in Lord Street West in Southport, was first elected as a councillor for the ward in May 2011.
At a full council meeting in Bootle Town Hall last Thursday (September 21) the council was informed of Cllr Ball’s decision to step down, before party leaders offered their heartfelt tributes to her.
Cllr Dave Robinson, the Mayor of Sefton, said: “On behalf of the council, I would like to extend our appreciation for all of Pat’s hard work as ward councillor and member of Sefton Council. “We wish her well for the future.” Leader of Sefton Conservatives Cllr Denise Dutton led the tributes, highlighting her continued hard work and commitment for her residents.
She was joined by the leader of Sefton Council and Sefton Labour group, Cllr Ian Maher; leader of the Liberal Democrat Party Cllr Sue McGuire; leader of the Independent Group Cllr Maria Bennett; and Cllr Ball’s Dukes Ward colleagues, independent councillor Tony Dawson and independent Conservative councillor David Barton.
The by-election is set to be a keenly-fought contest, with no council elections this year.
One third of Sefton’s 66 councillors stand for election in successive years over three years, with the fourth year being a fallow year, when no elections take place. 2017 has been a fallow year in the cycle.
Dr Pugh, who served as MP for Southport for 16 years, has already said he is considering putting himself forward for selection.
He won general elections for the Liberal Democrats in 2001, 2005, 2010 and 2015 before stepping down earlier this year after a snap election was called by Prime Minister Theresa May,
He previously served as a coun- cillor for Birkdale between 19872001 and served as leader of Sefton Council.
Dr Pugh said he stood down as MP for family reasons but said at the time that he wanted to return to local politics.
He said: “I have been asked by several people in my party but frankly with plenty of talent around, no-one has a God-given right to stand so I will spend the next few days talking to ordinary Dukes Ward voters and my family before finally making up my mind.
“However, I do feel strongly that local government in this area is becoming a more secretive, exclusive and polarised affair with the concerns of Southport marginalised or ignored.
“I have always believed in and practised a more open, thoughtful and consensual type of politics.
“No-one is sure whether there is much of a market these days for that approach but Dukes Ward, traditionally a Conservative ward, might tell us.
“That will be the approach I will be advocating, whoever is the candidate.”
Dr Pugh went on to praise the contribution made by Cllr Pat Ball.
He said: “Like many people I first knew Pat as a successful and friendly hotelier before she got involved in local and party politics.
“She’s always been a nice, normal and basically non-tribal councillor and Sefton Council will miss her contribution.”