Liberal Democrats aim to make an impact in Halton elections

Having once made up a sizeable opposition in Runcorn, the party’s fortunes have floundered in recent years with only three representatives currently occupying council seats.

But a major review of ward boundaries across the borough has thrown this year’s elections into uncertainty, with a number of new and merged wards promising to throw up some interesting local election battles.

One new ward where the party will be hoping to capitalise is Daresbury, Moore and Sandymoor.

The now defunct two-seat Daresbury ward had had two Conservative councillors – John and Marjorie Bradshaw – for many years. The new ward will now have three council seats.

Two Liberal Democrats running in that seat are John and Loulie Secker

Loulie was born at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, where her father was serving in the British army. She has lived in Halton for more than 30 years and worked as a programmer for ICI at The Heath.

She is heavily involved with voluntary organisations, school PTAs and local children’s clubs.

Halton Lib Dem candidate John Secker

John was born in Blackpool but moved to Cheshire when he started work for ICI, first in Northwich and then at Runcorn Heath.

Still a big fan of Blackpool FC, he is the treasurer of the Warrington Horse Show, a local charity, and has worked for other local voluntary groups.

He is a member of Sandymoor Parish Council and helped set up the Sandymoor Covid response team at the start of lockdown last year.

Two candidates looking to make a comeback to local politics will be grandfather of five Ernie Ratcliffe, who was councillor for Mersey Ward from 2004-11.

Halton Lib Dem candidate Ratcliffe Ernest

He is standing in the Mersey and Weston ward along with retired schoolteacher and former Linda Redhead, who was councillor for Beechwood from 2001 – 12, where she also served as Liberal Democrat leader.

Halton Lib Dem candidate Linda Redhead