VICTORY for Barrie Grunewald in the candidacy race could set in motion a sequence that brings about an even bigger shake-up in positions of power in St Helens.

The retirements of Shaun Woodward and Dave Watts mean the borough is already set for two new MPs.

But should Grunewald win Sunday’s selection contest and go on to claim the St Helens North seat at the General Election, the council leader’s chair, which he claimed less than two years ago, would be up for grabs.

Ironically, it means the door could open for Andy Bowden, regarded as his chief rival for the candidacy, to run for the council leadership.

St Helens Council is already facing times of significant change in its hierarchy, with economic regeneration expert Mike Palin due to step into the shoes of its outgoing chief executive, Carole Hudson She is following other senior council figures, Bob Hepworth, who led urban regeneration, and Chris Cahill, press office manager, in retiring.

Rarely will there have been changes of such scale in a short period of time and Grunewald’s potential elevation would simply add to that.