A former deputy leader of Knowsley Council who lost her seat in May has thrown her hat into the ring to be Labour ’s candidate in the West Lancashire parliamentary by-election.
A little less than five months after being ousted from her local authority seat in Kirkby, Louise Harbour has stated her intentions to seek her party’s nomination for the West Lancs vote. Incumbent Rosie Cooper confirmed last month that she would step down from her post to take up the position of chair of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.
She had been reselected by Labour to stand again in the next general election. Former councillor Harbour took to Twitter on Monday afternoon to confirm she had put herself forward for the now vacant position.
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She tweeted: “I have taken the leap and have submitted my application to begin the selection process to be the Labour candidate for West Lancashire.” In May, Ms Harbour became the second deputy leader of Knowsley Council in as many years to be removed from the Whitefield ward in Kirkby when she was defeated by independent Steve Guy.
Ms Harbour’s candidacy was backed by Cllr Graham Morgan, leader of Knowsley Council. He replied to her announcement on Twitter to offer his support, writing: “Louise will make a fantastic MP for the people of West Lancashire, good luck.”
Outgoing MP Ms Cooper was first elected in 2005, having previously served as a Liverpool city councillor from 1973 until 2000, and a year as Lord Mayor in 1992. A number of people have been linked with the Labour candidacy since Ms Cooper announced her intention to step down.
Among those are Cllr Julie Gibson, Skelmersdale West member on Lancashire County Council and Theresa Griffin, former Liverpool city councillor and ex-Labour member of the European Parliament. One person who has said they are definitely not seeking the nomination is Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.
The former Parliamentarian said it is “very likely” he will stand for a third term as Mayor and would not put his name forward to return to Westminster at this stage. A date for the by-election has yet to be confirmed.
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