Lasting legacy for 'widely respected' councillor

Chris Blakeley served as a Conservative Wirral councillor for 20 years

The daughter of a councillor who was "always determined to do his best for residents" and won respect from across the political divide has said a new road named in his honour will be a "lasting legacy".

Chris Blakeley died from cancer in January 2020 aged 69 and had served as a Conservative Wirral councillor for 20 years.

"If you had a problem, he did his best to fix it," his daughter Stephanie Miller said.

Blakeley Way is part of a new housing development in Moreton where 66 new homes are set to be built.

The road named in Chris Blakeley's memory is part of a development in Moreton

"If there was a cause and he knew you cared about it, even if he wasn't an expert in it he would read up on it and make it his cause," she said.

"He was stubborn, he didn't suffer fools."

'Well-loved'

Born and raised in West Kirby, Blakeley later lived for 40 years in Moreton and served as a Conservative councillor for the Moreton West and Saughall Massie ward for nearly 20 years from 2000 to 2020.

He was the area's longest-serving councillor and also worked at the head of office for Esther McVey when she was the MP for Wirral West and held a number of senior roles in his time at Wirral Council.

His wife of 40 years Sandra Blakeley said: "He was like a dog with a bone and never gave up. He had a lot of respect even from Labour councillors. People who voted Labour would vote for him."

His sister Val Frost said Cllr Blakeley never responded to insults, though he would fire back in the council chamber, adding: "I always admired him for that, people admired him so much."

Moreton West councillor Vida Wilson said Mr Blakeley was "a well-loved and respected councillor" who had always been "determined to do the best for the residents".

Conservative councillor for Wallasey, Ian Lewis said he had a reputation for doing a lot of good for the people in the area.

"He attracted support from people who would never vote for the conservatives but they voted for Chris because of his reputation for getting things done," he said.