A year in - Where is Carl Cashman taking the Lib Dems in Liverpool?

Liverpool Lib Dems Leader talks about his first year in the job and his new frontbench team 

Just over a year ago, the 31-year Councillor took over the reins from Cllr Richard Kemp in the Liverpool City Council Election which saw the Lib Dem numbers increase to 15 councillors. Whilst new to Liverpool politics, Cllr Cashman had previously been the Lib Dem leader on Knowsley Council and since then he’s made a big splash. 

Reflecting on his first year, Cllr Cashman said, “It’s been a really big first year for me and the whole group. Liverpool is a unique city and it has its own style of local politics. You only need to watch a council meeting to recognise that the Labour Party here don’t like accountability. Unfortunately for them, we’re on a mission to provide it.’

“I’m regularly out on the doorstep talking with residents across the city about the issues that matter to them - I keep hearing the same things, they want honesty, they want clean streets, safer roads and better value for their council tax. I know running the council is complex, but there’s lots of councils across the country who can do these basics right, so why can’t Liverpool?

“We’ve taken up the “Litterpool” issue and campaigned solidly - it started off with Labour telling us ‘we were talking down the city’, it ended with additional investment in tackling litter and a plan to take street cleaning back in house. Labour won’t like to admit it, but I’d chalk that up as a Lib Dem victory.’

“Where we’re in control of committees, like Audit and Education, we are making a real difference to how the council is run. They’re not used to rubber stamp the Administration or score political points, they hold the Council to account - that for me is what being the opposition is about, holding power to account.”

“I’m looking forward to the year ahead, we’ve got a general election on the horizon - with 5 fantastic Lib Dem candidates here in Liverpool, ready to take Labour and Conservatives on, work hard and champion their communities.’

Cllr Cashman has also unveiled his new frontbench team. He wants his group to start getting ready now for taking control in three-years time, saying the Liberal Democrats have ‘unfinished business’ when it comes to power in the city, with the party famously ridding the city of militant and securing Capital of Culture. 

The new shadow Cabinet for Liverpool Liberal Democrats is:

• Leader of the Opposition - Cllr Carl Cashman
• Finance and Council Honesty - Cllr Andrew Makinson
• Safer Roads, Safer City - Cllr Mirna Juarez
• Business Friendly City - Cllr Rob McAllister-Bell
• Housing and Tackling Homelessness - Cllr Dave Antrobus
• City Health, Equality and Adult Social Care Services - Cllr Liz Makinson
• Culture, Sport and Major Events - Cllr Laurence Sidorzcuk
• Environment and a Clean City - Cllr Rebecca Turner
• Education and Childrens Social Services - Cllr Mike Storey
• Group Whip - Cllr Malcolm Kelly

Cllr Cashman said, “With this new frontbench team, we’re setting out the Liverpool Lib Dems’ priorities for power - from tackling homelessness to fixing our broken roads, cleaning up our city to putting transparency and honesty at the top of agenda. I’m deeply proud of the talented and experienced team we’ve got, not only will we hold Labour to account but we will put forward a Lib Dem alternative and a new vision for the city.”