BARRIE Grunewald’s unsuccessful challenge to secure the party’s nomination will benefit St Helens Council, says John Fulham, Chair of St Helens Labour Group.

The St Helens Council leader was deeply disappointed by the result but colleagues say he can now place all his focus on driving forwards change at St Helens Council, where a new chief executive, Mike Palin, has recently been appointed.

Councillor Fulham echoed the views of those who believe Scottish-born, Grunewald, who has brought his family up in St Helens, can carry on the job that he has held for less than two years.

Tackling local issues such as the struggles of St Helens town centre, the secondary education crisis, bin collections and regeneration are arguably more important to Star readers than the workings of Westminster.

He told the Star: “Westminster’s loss is the town’s gain as Barrie has already been a transformative leader fixing the town centre, creating new jobs, building more homes, getting our key transport links on the agenda, and started challenging and supporting schools to deliver excellence with the new Schools Commissioner and the Improvement Board.

In choosing Conor McGinn the local party members have chosen someone who’s already well connected in Westminster, and will work with Barrie as leader to help open doors and purse strings to support our Borough’s ambitions to be the heart of the North West.”