St Helens Council cabinet member Lynn Clarke deselected by Labour

Cllr Lynn Clarke, cabinet member for environmental services, was not automatically re-selected by her local Labour branch in the Town Centre ward to stand there in the May 2020 local elections.

It is understood she attended a selection meeting on Tuesday evening where she was deselected by members of the branch.

READ > Labour councillor at risk of deselection withdraws from selection process

Former cabinet member Gill Neal, who was deselected last week to stand in her current ward, Windle, was chosen as the Town Centre candidate.

Windle councillor Gill Neal has been selected to stand as the Town Centre Labour candidate ward at the 2020 local elections

Cllr Neal said: “It is an honour to have been selected by the branch members of Town Centre ward and I am looking forward to working alongside the Labour team to deliver the election pledges.”

Earlier this month Cllr Clarke was shortlisted in the Parr ward alongside sitting ward councillor Andy Bowden and Simon Neal, Cllr Neal’s husband.

Cllr Clarke declined the invitation to be interviewed out of support for Cllr Bowden, the current Parr councillor and former deputy council leader, who was subsequently deselcted.

READ > Labour deselects former deputy leader of St Helens Council

It is understood Cllr Clarke has been shortlisted in multiple wards, although it is unclear at this stage where or if she will stand.

Following Tuesday night's decision, Cllr Clarke said: “I have worked incredibly hard for the residents of Town Centre for a number of years and so I am obviously disappointed at the outcome of the selection meeting last night.

“However, I respect the decision of the branch and will continue to work to support the Labour Party in the future.”