‘Reform may do well on immigration debate but swimming pools, care homes and housing are important too’

Councillors from all sides were asked to share their views after May’s local elections were re-instated by the government last week. The polls had previously been cancelled to allow work towards a big council shake-up in 2028.

In West Lancashire, the legacy of last year’s swimming pools closure plan row, another idea to shift the council HQ to Skelmersdale from Ormskirk, and new housing will be part of the election campaign debate, councillors have said.

Adrian Owens, chairman of the Our West Lancashire (OWL) group, said: “These elections will be the first opportunity residents have had to give their verdict on Labour councillors who used inaccurate threats of council bankruptcy to try to close swimming pools in Ormskirk and Skelmersdale.

“Now, Labour councillors want to burden local taxpayers with more than £10million of borrowing and use all available capital funds [budgets for big, one-off schemes] on a vanity project to move the council offices from Ormskirk to Skelmersdale.

“It’s a move that wouldn’t even be complete before the council probably ceases to exist in 2028. Instead, we would look to invest the capital funds we have in improving existing facilities, many of which are looking tired and run-down.”

He added: “OWL is well-placed to make gains in May after our success last autumn in the Aughton and Holborn by-election. We saw-off the Reform challenge there and took the seat from Labour. We have some great candidates who are grounded in communities and will put residents first.”

OWL’s Linda Webster, who is up for re-election, added: “It’s right that local elections should be held this May. Local government reorganisation will take several years and there may be delays. But it’s wrong that voters would have had to potentially wait years for their voices to be heard in a future election.

“I’d urge everyone to use their vote and think locally this May. The party they vote for in a general election may be totally different to the one they choose locally.”

‘IMMIGRATION NOT A BIG ISSUE HERE’

Conservative David Whittington leads West Lancashire’s Tory opposition group. Regarding Reform UK and the topics of immigration, he said: “Immigration is not really an issue here. There’s a possibility we might be take a few Afghan asylum seekers in Skelmersdale but it’s a small topic. But nationally, the immigration debate creates a background feeling about the country and politics which means people listen to Reform.”

Big local topics are important, he said. “In West Lancashire, we still have swimming pool issues. Park Pool in Ormskirk was closed for a few days recently because a boiler packed-up. There’s a report coming to the council soon about investment to keep the two pools in Ormskirk and Skelmersdale running for the next five years. But we need a long term strategy. The council’s Labour leadership planned to close the pools last year, with no alternatives. That idea went down badly and there’s still an ongoing effect.”

New housing and pressure on farmland are other issues, he said. “There are mutterings of a 225-house estate in Parbold and plans for housing estates in Ormskirk. These will provoke argument. And new estates have already gone up elsewhere.

“There is an argument for new homes but these need much-more thought. The government wants more homes built but West Lancashire Council’s planning situation is in chaos because of delays in a new local plan. We blame the ruling Labour group for that. The council’s existing local plan runs until 2027 and a new local plan is vital to influence future development.”

Looking to the May elections, he said: “Conservatives will be emphasising candidates’ local links, knowledge and experience. These things really matter.

“Separately, OWL might do well in Ormskirk and Reform UK might progress in Skelmersdale. Reform won Skelmersdale seats in last year’s county council election. A number of senior Labour West Lancashire borough councillors currently represent Skelmersdale but will they still be with us after May?”

Labour councillors were contacted for comment too. Labour would defend its record and reject the accusations. Labour councillors might highlight new affordable homes built by the council’s Tawd Valley Developments and claim opposition parties tried to hinder new homes? Likewise, Labour might highlight other council work in Ormskirk, the council’s Skelmersdale town centre master-plan or new industrial or employment sites, for example?

PENDLE VIEWS

Meanwhile in Pendle, Lib-Dem council leader David Whipp said: “Our group on Pendle Council argued strongly in favour of the May elections going ahead. The government now agreeing is very welcome but the twists-and-turns demonstrate chaos at the government’s heart. It’s like ‘Carry On Up The Commons’ starring Keir Starmer.

“Axing local elections was never about saving money. It was about Labour saving face and seats. But with no councillors, Labour has nothing to lose in Pendle. And they will not win anything in May.

“But the elections will also lay bare the reality of Reform’s rhetoric in Lancashire. Voters will punish their cruel, callous care home consultation and failure to fill potholes.

“In Pendle, Lib-Dems won two council by-elections last year, beating Reform twice. In other by-elections, Liberal Democrats are winning against Reform.

“Here, Lib-Dems are campaigning to win seats from Conservatives and strengthen our position on Pendle Council. Balancing the books, saving our sports centres with investment, winning funding for every part of Pendle and working to sort out local problems are good reasons for people to vote on, rather than Reform’s rhetoric.”

For clarity, Reform UK-run Lancashire County Council recently said it had ‘no intention’ of shutting any of the five care Lancashire home facilities it placed under review last October due to their condition.

‘I WELCOME THIS ELECTION’

Representing another party, Ash Sutcliffe, Pendle’s Conservative opposition leader, said: “Elections are incredibly important. I think it’s incumbent on all existing and future councillors to uphold people’s democratic right to vote, so I welcome the May elections. My concern is the terrible way it has come about and I blame the Labour government for their yo-yo politics, leaving us in limbo.

“This May’s election will be odd. I hope people really focus on the expertise and experience of candidates as we head into local government reorganisation in 2028. We desperately need experience and not fresh blood or disruptive arguments.

“People really wanted change at the last general election. But they got just that with quiet devastating effects. Labour is now incredibly unpopular with almost every resident I speak with.

“There is some appetite for Reform but not as much as the media suggests. I hope people really scrutinise Reform’s policies as heavily as other parties. Just because Reform is new, it isn’t exempt from being put under the microscope.

“But this will be a local election. People who work hard for their areas, with knowledge, will always be the best choice, despite national concerns. My Conservative team are always ready to roll-up their sleeves and fight for what we believe is right.”

‘LABOUR CANDIDATES ARE READY’

Pendle Council currently has no Labour councillors, following mass resignations in recent years over issues like the Israel-Gaza conflict and Labour suspensions of local councillors. All Pendle’s former Labour councillors are now independents.

However, Mike Willcox, vice-chairman of Pendle and Clitheroe constituency Labour Party, said other candidates have been chosen for May. He said: “In light of the news that Pendle Council elections will be going ahead, the executive of the local Labour Party met to review our campaign plans.

“We have good candidates in place across the borough and, if elected, they will do the best job for local people. And the chaotic state of local government in places that Reform UK now controls, like Lancashire County Council, is all the motivation we need to get on and fight these elections.”

Reform and Independents in Pendle and Labour councillors in West Lancashire were approached for comments too.