COUNCIL leader Barrie Grunewald and former mayor Andy Bowden will do battle to be the Labour candidate for St Helens North, a shortlist decided by the party's HQ has confirmed.

The St Helens councillors face competition from Northern Irishman Conor McGinn, a political advisor to shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker, Manchester councillor Rosa Battle, Wirral councillor Louise Reece-Jones and Labour Party member Mark Russell, also and head of the Christian charity The Church Army 

The candidates will now court votes from local party members ahead of a vote on Sunday, February 8.

The selection process follows the decision of Dave Watts to stand down from the role he has held since 1997.

St Helens Star: Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Andy Bowden

  • Andy Bowden has strong connections wiht St Helens North's grassroots

Bowden, 50, is seen as a grassroots candidate, having represented Blackbrook and Parr wards, both in the North constituency for more than 17 years.

He has also been Watts' constituency office manager since 1997 and is a respected party figure.

Bowden said: “I have a strong track record of achievement in the community as a councillor and involvement with organisations in the borough. I think I have the skills and understand the people of St Helens and what makes it tick.

“I can take people’s exceptions into Westminster and make the case for St Helens North, arguing for the policies that will benefit our community.”

However, Grunewald who is seen as a highly ambitious politician holds significant influence locally and regionally

If he was to be selected it would mean giving up the role of leader he has held for less than two years since ousting Marie Rimmer.

St Helens Star: My vision: Barrie Grunewald is the new leader of St Helens Council.

  • Barrie Grunewald took the leadership of St Helens Council in 2013

Grunewald, 36, a Rainhill ward councillor, says he put himself forward after "a large number of Labour members, community groups, business leaders and leaders from the faith community" encouraged him to stand.

He said: "I believe the next MP should be someone who lives in St Helens and knows the area. I have stood up and battled for our borough and now want to take that battle to Westminster.”

McGinn, 30, who will be regarded as the biggest threat to the locally-based candidates, said: "Dave Watts is irreplaceable. But he has set standards that people in St Helens North expect his successor to meet.

"Like Dave, I will live locally with my family and be visible in the community. I will be a hardworking activist who gets things done on the ground, and I will stand up for St Helens North in Westminster."