THE leader of St Helens Council, David Baines, will run to be Labour's St Helens North parliamentary candidate for the next general election.

Cllr Baines has thrown his hat into the ring to be the party's candidate for the election, which is expected to take place next year.

Current MP Conor McGinn, who is sitting as an independent MP after leaving Labour, will step down ahead of the next general election.

In a statement, Cllr Baines said: "St Helens North is my home. This is the place I live, and everyone who knows me knows it's the place I love.

"I am fiercely proud of where I come from but my experience goes beyond it."

Other candidates 

Others who will contest the race to become the Labour candidate include Luke Joseph, a senior parliamentary assistant to Marie Rimmer MP.

Labour's Parr Councillor Bisi Osundeko is another who has declared her intention to run this week.

Councillor Baines, a former primary schoolteacher who grew up in Haydock, was elected as a Windle councillor in 2013.

He was elected as council leader in 2019 and has been credited with bringing harmony and strong leadership to a party that was riven with infighting.

In a statement announcing his intention to run, Cllr Baines cited his record as council leader, saying: " As leader of the Council, heading up our fantastic Labour team, I’ve fought tooth and nail for St Helens on the local, regional and national stage:

"[Including] fighting for fair investment in essential services and standing with keyworkers, the NHS, care homes and schools through Tory austerity, Covid, and the cost of living crisis;

"Leading our negotiations with government during lockdowns; setting up #StHelensTogether with public and third sector partners; taking Children’s Services from ‘Inadequate’ to ‘Good’;

"Rebuilding Ashurst Primary and Willow Bank schools; agreeing once in a lifetime regeneration plans for our town centres; delivering transformational projects like Glass Futures and Parkside redevelopment; and promoting everything great about our borough at every opportunity."

'Huge challenges'

He added: "People in our communities face huge challenges right now. The council and our fantastic local voluntary and faith sector can only do so much.

"If we're going to really help people, change things for the better, and deliver the services and opportunities we deserve, then we need a Labour government. 

"And we need Members of Parliament with experience of the real world, the challenges we all face right now, and the determination to make a difference.

"All this, and more, is why I am standing to be the Labour candidate for my home, St Helens North, at the next general election."

Cllr Baines said he would like to thank the many local residents and party members, as well as friends from across the labour and trade union movement, who have already been in touch to pledge their support.

He added: "Leading the council will remain my top priority while the internal party campaign takes place, and I'll be fighting for our communities as I always have, and always will."