Halton’s main opposition group has set its sights on Runcorn at the upcoming council elections, with just one candidate being put forward in Widnes.

The Liberal Democrats constitute the biggest opposition group on Halton’s Labour-dominated council, with three councillors all in Beechwood and Heath in Runcorn.

The borough goes to the polls next Thursday, May 2, in local government elections and the Lib Dems will fielding candidates in most Runcorn wards, but just one in Widnes.

The party was once a sizeable opposition with 13 councillors in Runcorn back in 2010. But it faced a major backlash after it went into national coalition with the Conservatives in 2010, with a number of local Lib Dem councillors quitting to become independents, while others lost their seats in subsequent local elections.

It has strong roots in Runcorn but has struggled to make inroads in Widnes, which is currently exclusively Labour in makeup. Its only recent success in the town was taking Kingsway in 2010, but only after the Labour candidate failed to register his paperwork in time and so could not stand. 

Next week, current group leader Margaret Ratcliffe will be defending her seat in the Beechwood and Heath Ward where she has been a councillor for more than 24 years. She was the Mayor of Halton in 2013/14 and has also been a school governor for more than 30 years. She was born in Runcorn and has lived in the town for more than 70 years.

Diane Inch will be standing in Norton North where she has lived for 35 years.  She was a local councillor in this ward for a decade and served on two local school governing bodies. She has worked with a number of local volunteer groups and is a trustee for Halton Community Transport, which provides transport for vulnerable and disabled people. She is also a qualified child minder.

Matt Morris is the candidate for the Mersey and Weston Ward. He has been involved in a group representing the community response and opposition to the development of the Heath offices and adjacent horses’ field into a large scale housing application. He is a community champion and has a huge involvement in the Scouting Association. He lives in the ward with his wife and daughter. His key pledges are to give Mersey and Weston ‘a true voice’, champion local business and support sustainable planning.

A local party spokesman, said: “Liberal Democrat councillors keep residents informed all year round - not just at election time - and hold monthly surgeries.

“Our priorities are free bridge passes for all, proper funding for the NHS, supporting education at all levels, supporting major investment into Halton's infrastructure, measures to minimise climate change and giving the community a greater say in planning applications."

A third of Halton's seats are being contested this year with 18 seats up for grabs. As well as the Liberal Democrats - Labour, Greens, The Liberal Party, Conservatives and Reform UK and a number of independents will be fielding candidates.

A full list of candidates and their respective wards can be found here.

Voters will be required to show photo ID when they head to the polling station. Acceptable forms of photo ID include: UK-issued passport or driving licence, bus pass, blue badge, PASS proof of age card. A full list can be found here.