Merseyside is a fiercely political region and with a General Election moving ever more into view on the horizon, the race to represent the region's different constituencies is heating up.
The next election isn't due until January 2025 but could fall earlier than that if a vote is called by the Prime Minister. With Labour firmly ahead in the polls, there is plenty of attention being cast on who the party will select to fight for seats in its Merseyside heartlands.
A combination of incumbent Labour MPs announcing their plans to stand down, boundary changes and potentially winnable seats coming into play mean the current situation in our region is both fluid and unpredictable.
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Here we take a look at the different seats and some of the names in the various frames.
Birkenhead
The most immediate contest when it comes to Labour and Merseyside is in Birkenhead. Last month Alison McGovern, the current Labour MP for the Wirral South constituency announced that she would be putting herself forward for the Labour nomination for a different Wirral seat.
This is because under boundary changes being brought in for the next election, Ms McGovern's current seat will be abolished and broken up into neighbouring areas. The changes will see the number of MPs representing the constituency reduced from four to three.
She has chosen to go for the newly expanded Birkenhead seat as it will include the area where she lives. The decision put her on an immediate collision course with current Birkenhead MP Mick Whitley, who immediately confirmed he would be seeking the nomination as well.
Both sides have been campaigning hard in recent weeks and gathering endorsements. Ms McGovern welcomed former PM Gordon Brown to the constituency recently and shared support from ex leader Neil Kinnock. Mr Whitley is keen to stress his local roots and union background.
It's a fascinating tussle and will all come to a head next week. The deadline for votes is on June 14, with the counting and decision announced two days later on June 16.
Wirral West
As if the Labour on Labour battle taking place in Wirral wasn't interesting enough, another twist came just a day after Ms McGovern's announcement.
Just over 24 hours after the Wirral South MP went public with her intention to stand in Birkenhead, the Labour MP in her neighbouring constituency of Wirral West - Margaret Greenwood - said she would be standing down at the next General Election.
An ally of Mick Whitley, Ms Greenwood's decision led to the Birkenhead MP and his team immediately calling for Ms McGovern to change course and head for the soon-to-be vacant position in Wirral West. She did not take up the offer of course and the battle for Birkenhead will come to a head next week.
Naturally what happens in that contest next week could have implications for the Wirral West seat as whoever is unsuccessful could be tempted by the other Wirral vacancy.
One name that has been linked with the position is Matthew Patrick, a former Wirral Labour councillor and cabinet member.
St Helens North
Another Merseyside seat that will be available at the next General Election is St Helens North. Last month, Labour MP for the area Conor McGinn announced that he would be standing down at the next election. The MP has been under investigation by the Labour Party since the end of last year regarding a complaint against him. He has had the whip suspended since the investigation began.
Mr McGinn's decision opens up another potential avenue for Labour figures looking for a very safe seat at the next election. So far two names being linked with a run include former Liverpool Labour councillor Patrick Hurley, who lost his place on the council after failing to win in the new Waterfront South ward.
Another name in the frame is Luke Joseph, a local advisor to Marie Rimmer, the MP for the neighbouring St Helens South and Whiston seat. It is understood he will definitely be putting his name forward.
Knowsley
Last week the region's longest serving MP George Howarth confirmed that he would be standing down as the Member of Parliament for Knowsley after nearly 40 years.
The 73-year-old said it has been an 'enormous honour' to represent his home constituency for so long but said now was the 'right time' for a new candidate. The move fired the starting pistol on what could be a very competitive fight for the Labour nomination for one of the party's safest seats.
In his statement announcing his plan to step down, Mr Howarth said he would like to see 'a good local candidate with a proven track record in the constituency' replace him.
It seems likely that former Knowsley Council deputy leader Louise Harbour will be one of those local candidates targeting the vacancy. She stood for the Labour nomination for the West Lancs seat last year, missing out to eventual winner Ashley Dalton. Another council-linked name being mentioned is current cabinet member Jayne Aston. Both are well liked by the incumbent MP.
But there are plenty of names being linked with a run for the Labour nod in Knowsley. Others include Liverpudlian Tris Brown, the former chief of staff to Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson and Ryan Wain, the Bootle-born political director of the Tony Blair Institute. Both are thought to be seriously considering entering the race.
Liverpool Councillor Nick Crofts, who now represents the Broadgreen area of the city, has long been talked about as a potential Knowsley candidate but it is not currently clear if he will go for the seat.
Southport
Unlike most of the other seats mentioned, the Southport seat is not about to be vacant when the next General Election rolls around. However it is a seat that Labour firmly believe they can win.
Southport is currently represented by Conservative Damian Moore and is the only non-Labour held seat in the region. The Tories won the seat in 2017 and held it again in 2019. Prior to this, the Lib Dems held the seat for two decades, mainly through veteran MP John Pugh.
But with Labour flying high in the national polls and some very encouraging local election results, the party is feeling confident about potentially taking Southport when the next vote comes around - which makes the battle for selection in the town very interesting.
Some of the names being linked with a shot at the Labour nomination for Southport include local councillors Greg Myers and Janet Harrison - both of whom represent Southport wards on Sefton Council for Labour. Another local councillor known to be interested is Kew member Sean Halsall.
Other names being talked about for a shot at Southport for Labour include the aforementioned Patrick Hurley and Matt Patrick as well as barrister Ravi Nayer, who lives in the constituency.
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