New leader for Labour in Wirral

SPECULATION ON INTERNAL BATTLE

- By EDWARD BARNES

WIRRAL Labour has a new leader following a long internal battle within the party ahead of an official vote for the council's top job in two weeks' time.

Following a meeting on May 6, Rock Ferry councillor Paula Basnett was elected the new leader of Wirral’s 29 Labour councillors. While not appointed to the top position in the council yet, it is likely she will lead the local authority going forward if she gets support from other parties on May 21.

This is because Wirral is currently in no overall control, meaning any leader will need the support of at least 34 councillors from a minimum of two political parties. Therefore the new Labour leader will be seeking support from opposition parties in the council going forward.