Labour's race for Wavertree too close to call
Luciana Berger and Wendy Simon
The die has been cast, the candidates have said their piece, now it's only a week before we know who will Labour's candidates in Wavertree.
Oh, and Sefton Central. But I don't know as much about that race so I can't really comment on that.
In Wavertree Liverpudlian Joyce Still is widely viewed as not really in with a chance. The view seemed to be that she entered the fray too late, although she has been out knocking on doors. I suspect she is out of it.
Wendy Simon, the Wavertree councillor, has the backing of Unison and Liverpool Labour leader Joe Anderson. Her strengths are that she is well known and liked by the activist base of the local party, as she has chaired the constituency for years and is a local councillor.
Luciana Berger, director of Labour Friends of Israel, has the backing of Usdaw and outgoing MP Jane Kennedy. She is also the great niece of Labour firebrand Manny Shinwell. Her major strengths are her connections in the Labour party and Government.
Both are said to have done a good job at the Hustings on Sunday attended by around 100 members, but my understanding is that it is too close to call at the moment.
Cllr Simon is said to be doing well with the activist base of around 30 to 40. But as to the rest of the constituency party (with numbers totally somewhere between 150 and 200) I haven't a clue.
Members of the local party who did not vote yesterday can still cast their votes by post.
Votes will be counted on Sunday and then Labour can finally start campaigning against their biggest threat in Merseyside from a Liberal Democrat - Colin Eldridge.
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David Bartlett
City editor of the Post and Echo covering politics, regeneration, and urban affairs.
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Manny Shinwell was indeed a tub-thumper. He was also Minister for Fuel & Power in 1947, distinguishing himself as one of the worst ministers of all time. During his time at the Ministry, often because of his incompetence, the country ran out of coal and nearly froze to death. If I were Luciana, I'd go easy on the myth-building.
Hope she wins, all the same.
Average household income for Liverpool? ã28k.
State Pension per annum? ã5k
Yearly fees for Haberdasher's Aske school in Elstree? ã10,000 per annum
Labour - the party of the working class??
Too close to call with a third candidate out of the race?
Need a bar chart David? ;)
It's Luciana wot won it! Thank God for that. Let the LibDem personal attacks begin.