Liverpool mayoral election: Labour picks Joanne Anderson as candidate

Joanne Anderson has been a Labour councillor in Liverpool since 2019

Liverpool councillor Joanne Anderson will be Labour's candidate in the city's mayoral election this May.

Ms Anderson, 47, who has represented the Princes Park ward since 2019, thanked party members for placing their "trust and faith" in her.

"I will be honest about our past, and I will also be positive about our future as a city," she added.

The announcement comes after Labour scrapped its first list of candidates without explanation.

Three councillors on the original shortlist were rejected by the national Labour party and told they could not enter the new race.

A second shortlist, comprising of Ms Anderson, who has previously opened up about her financial struggles after filing for bankruptcy twice, and fellow councillor Anthony Lavelle, was revealed in March.

'Scrutiny'

Labour's announcement comes after the government revealed its plans to send in commissioners to oversee parts of Liverpool City Council following a highly critical report by inspector Max Caller.

Earlier, the authority outlined its next steps, which will see the regeneration department restructured within six months and changes made to highways operations inside a year.

Labour has announced former minister David Hanson will lead its review of the council.

Analysis

By Claire Hamilton, BBC Merseyside political reporter

The name plate on the door of the mayor's office at the Cunard building won't need much alteration if another J. Anderson gets elected to the city's top job.

But Joanne Anderson is a very different prospect to the former mayor Joe.

She's only been a councillor for three years and was planning to stand down before being persuaded to compete for one of the toughest jobs in local government.

In fact, Joanne Anderson says she'd campaign to scrap the role of elected mayor altogether if she wins in May.

Critics say her lack of political experience is a huge disadvantage as Liverpool tries to recover from the aftershock of the Caller report, but supporters say she'd bring a fresh, dynamic approach and presents an historic chance to elect the country's first black female city leader.

As Labour candidate, her first task is to unite the local party, which has been battered and bruised by the chaotic selection process, the Caller report and the scrutiny it's facing after a decade of being in power in Liverpool.

The local authority has been under scrutiny since police began investigating building and development contracts.

The probe has seen five men, including then mayor Joe Anderson, arrested.

He denies any wrongdoing. No charges have been brought against any of the five men.

Ms Anderson, who is not related to the former mayor, said: "The Caller report has highlighted serious failings within our city council, and I promise to make it my priority to drive our improvements, restoring trust in our city and putting social value and transparency at the heart of everything we do."

Voters will go to the polls on 6 May. Other confirmed candidates (listed alphabetically) are:

• Roger Bannister (TUSC)

• Katie Burgess (Conservative)

• Tom Crone (Green Party)

• Richard Kemp (Liberal Democrats)

• Steve Radford (Liberal)

• Stephen Yip (Independent)

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