Oxton prepares for by-election next week

On Thursday, November 25, voters in Oxton will go to the polls to elect a new councillor after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Andy Corkhill on October 4, aged just 36.

Since Labour lost majority control of the council in 2019, opposition parties have been able to shift council policy, forcing it to scrap the Wirral View newspaper and axe the cabinet, reducing the amount of power a small number of Labour members had in key policy areas.

Gaining a councillor in Oxton would put the party in a stronger position to push through its agenda.

The Lib Dems do have a large majority in Oxton, having won 2,311 votes to Labour’s 1,050 in May’s local elections, but by-elections often bring up strange results with turnout being difficult to predict outside of the regular election period.

Here are the candidates you can vote for on Thursday.

Dr Orod Osanlou (Liberal Democrat)

Dr Osanlou said: “I have had a really friendly reception on the doorstep as Oxton’s Liberal Democrat councillors already have such a good reputation for dealing with local issues.

Dr Osanlou added: “Some residents have raised concerns about difficulties in getting to see their GP. It is clear that we need far more investment in our vital primary care services, training more doctors and nurses.

“As someone who works in the NHS, I am clear that private businesses should have no say in its running.”

Speaking to the LDRS earlier in the campaign, Dr Osanlou said: “I want to work with them on the campaign to make homes at risk of flooding more resilient.

“I also want to see our streets made safer and more pleasant places to live by limiting traffic to 20mph on residential roads.”

Susan Mahoney (Labour)

Ms Mahoney said: “Oxton deserves a councillor who will listen, represent residents’ views and stand up for what matters most.

“I’ve been out on the doorstep in Oxton talking to residents daily, and listening to their views.

“The key issues that have been raised are around keeping the area clean, green and beautiful. I’m a tireless environmental campaigner and will work to keep Oxton looking its best.

“Many people mentioned the lack of affordable housing. I am the vice chair of Save Our Social Housing and have experience fighting for affordable housing. Transport is also a key priority in Oxton.

“We need a better, more affordable bus service. As a carer myself, I have run successful campaigns to make public transport more accessible for people with disabilities.”

Phil Merry (Conservative)

Mr Merry said: “Under the Labour council, some of our areas aren’t being looked after.

“There is too much litter, grass isn’t being cut regularly, and verges that are supposed to be ‘rewilded’ are actually left to abandonment. I’m passionate about tidying up Oxton, and out on the doorstep over the last few weeks it’s clear that you care about that too.

“If you elect me on November 25th, I will make sure we get more litter bins, as well as work to get grass cut more regularly.”

He added: “The government is giving Wirral more than £88 million, and as your councillor I would fight for our fair share.”

Rachel Heydon (Green Party)

Ms Heydon said: “Green Party gains in local elections over recent years have been pivotal in shifting council policy to ‘brownfield first’ for all new housing.

“This is vital for areas like Oxton in order to protect our existing green spaces and to prevent the erosion of Oxton’s character.

“Green councillors have also pressed hard to achieve much needed environmental gains including more tree planting and support for biodiversity.

“These gains not only help tackle the climate emergency but also improve our health, wellbeing and quality of life.

“Oxton wasn’t built for the car and the other parties have completely failed to address the danger, health implications and aggravation that comes from car-dependency.”