Jo Anderson elected Mayor of Liverpool

[Tibtom]

My heart sank until I realised it was Joanne and not Joe making a comeback.

First black women to lead a major british city. No idea of her politics but an achievement!

[LawnFever]

I was similarly confused for a minute! But good for her, great to see a woman in the role

[picturesandpickles]

This was a little hopeful bit of news I thought, I hope she turns out to be a decent person. The other little cheering snippet from Liverpool was the Tory lost their deposit.

[Tibtom]

Quite a coincidence

[Tibtom]

Not sure why it is good that the Tories lost their deposit. Plurality in politics is a good thing. Are there any other parties breaking into the Labour stranglehold who can hold begin to hold them to account?

[MeadowHay]

The independent candidate for mayor did really well though and it was the first time the mayoral vote in Liverpool went to second pref votes I think. Labour should definitely be worried about their position in Liverpool - as usual they take their 'heartland' areas completely for granted and people are getting increasingly disconnected from the party.

However, yes, great achievement for Joanne.

[picturesandpickles]

@Tibtom

Not sure why it is good that the Tories lost their deposit. Plurality in politics is a good thing. Are there any other parties breaking into the Labour stranglehold who can hold begin to hold them to account?

Well it depnds how you feel about the Tories I suppose! But it cheered me indeed.

[SunsetBeetch]

Oh,thank fuck!

Congratulations to Jo. This is a great achievement.

[Tibtom]

Well it depnds how you feel about the Tories I suppose!

I think the good governance in politics requires a good opposition to test ideas and ask difficult questions.

[picturesandpickles]

@Tibtom

Well it depnds how you feel about the Tories I suppose!

I think the good governance in politics requires a good opposition to test ideas and ask difficult questions.

I made a flippant remark which wasn't intended to start a big debate so I will not respond with my thoughts on what the lying corrupt Johnson has to offer in the field of 'good governance'!

[Justhadathought]

Her sex and her race are/should be irrelevant. Although clearly many voted for her based on those fixed characteristics alone; and also because she's under a Labour ticket.

The best candidate didn't win, although he achieved a remarkable result given his independent status and just six weeks to organise a campaign. A campaign which was grassroots in origin and without the support and structure of affiliated political allegiance.

Personally gutted at the result. Certainly considering the unique situation in Liverpool at present.

And if we want to play identity politics, then he would have been the first ethnically Chinese leader of a major city. He didn't feel the need to push that though, or see it as in any way relevant. It isn't.

[Justhadathought]

Quite a coincidence

some might see it as a cynical cosmic joke.

[SometimesRavenSometimesParrot]

She’s been bankrupt twice and only about two years of council experience. Not to mention the way she behaves on socials would better befit a 14 year old than an elected official.

No hope of Liverpool being taken seriously on the world stage with her in charge. I join PP in being gutted.

[Justhadathought]

Well it depnds how you feel about the Tories I suppose! But it cheered me indeed

The situation in Liverpool is fairly unique, and has got nothing to do with the tories. It was the usual turkeys voting for the usual Xmas, again.......Even in spite of the ex mayor having been arrested and the council still under government over-sight.,

[Freespeecher]

Labour also blocked the three original candidates running, one of whom (Rothery) would otherwise have been the first black female mayor etc etc.

[Tibtom]

I will not respond with my thoughts on what the lying corrupt Johnson has to offer in the field of 'good governance'!

But that is the point - they need a strong opposition so they can't get away with it. It works both ways.

[Freespeecher]

SometimesRavenSometimesParrot

This behaviour on socials intrigues me though I suppose it'll come out in the wash (though probably not in the pages of the Echo).

[HopeClearwater]

This behaviour on socials intrigues me though I suppose it'll come out in the wash (though probably not in the pages of the Echo).

Might come out on the comments pages of the Echo site though

[SometimesRavenSometimesParrot]

@Freespeecher

SometimesRavenSometimesParrot

This behaviour on socials intrigues me though I suppose it'll come out in the wash (though probably not in the pages of the Echo).

Just lots of awfully petty things - like posting a photoshopped picture of Joe Anderson with a red wig on and saying ‘no relation...and my weave is better loll’. That kind of thing. Really unbecoming.

It’s a shame that in their supposed ‘heartland’ Labour can’t even make the effort to put forward a decent candidate

[LoveSleeping]

Let's hope she deals with the 'serious breakdown in governance' in the City council as a priority - the recent report was shocking.

[SunsetBeetch]

@Justhadathought

Her sex and her race are/should be irrelevant. Although clearly many voted for her based on those fixed characteristics alone; and also because she's under a Labour ticket.

The best candidate didn't win, although he achieved a remarkable result given his independent status and just six weeks to organise a campaign. A campaign which was grassroots in origin and without the support and structure of affiliated political allegiance.

Personally gutted at the result. Certainly considering the unique situation in Liverpool at present.

And if we want to play identity politics, then he would have been the first ethnically Chinese leader of a major city. He didn't feel the need to push that though, or see it as in any way relevant. It isn't.

Ah ok. Must admit I don't know a great deal about politics in Liverpool, beyond Joe Anderson being an absolute pig of a man.

[MyDcAreMarvel]

I agree Stephen Yip was the far better candidate. I am a Labour supporter always in general elections but locally not always ( although never Tory)
In Liverpool though you could have a donkey for a candidate and they would win. People didn’t vote for the person , Joanne didn’t win based on any of her merits.

[Herewegoagainok]

I'm not surprised that the labour candidate won, but absolutely refreshing that the protest vote was for an independent.

[Herewegoagainok]

Sorry, offensive to say that Stephen yip was a protest vote but I meant that there has been a disengagement with labour locally, and people's votes reflected that. I guess its just a shame that we have a two horse race in politics right now. Imagine a politics full of independents and without 'sides'

[MyDcAreMarvel]

• donkey for a Labour candidate

[DdraigGoch]

First black women to lead a major british city. No idea of her politics but an achievement!
I look forward to the day when a black woman can be elected without reference made to her colour or sex. She ought to be defined as an individual and by her policies, not by her physical attributes.