Local Council by-elections 18th November 2021

[Tony Otim]

CANTERBURY DC; Gorrell (Lab resigned)
Candidates
BUCKMAN, Dane (Labour)
GARDNER, Colin Barry (Workers Party of Britain)
SPENCER, Stephen Ivor (Conservative)
TURNBULL, Clare Margaret (Green)

2019: Lab 1418, 1416, 1307; Grn 1298, 894, 638; Con 889, 707, 690; LD 262
2015: Con 1977, 1848, 1427; Lab 1844, 1658, 1638; UKIP 1102; Grn 903, 808, 801; LD 531, 476, 451; Ind 412;TUSC 116, 110, 99

Current Council: Con 22; Lab 9; LD 6; Ind 1; 1 vacancy



LIVERPOOL MBC; Anfield (Lab died)
Candidates:
HEATHERINGTON, Adam (No Description)
HODGE, Daryl (Green)
McGING, Alma Gavine (Conservative)
O’BRIEN, Tricia (Labour)
RICHARDSON, Jimmy (Liberal Party)
RUETERJANS, Wiebke Angela Hildegard (Liberal Democrat)

2021: Lab 1520; Lib 247; Grn 171; Con 120; LD 104; Ind 94
2019: Lab 1448; Grn 193; Lib 141; LD 97; Con 97
2018: Lab 1777; Con 140; LD 134; Grn 114; Lib 56
2016: Lab 1601; Lib 132; Grn 120; LD 120; Con 89; TUSC 65
2015: Lab 4276; UKIP 568; Lib 281; Grn 261; Con 126; TUSC 68
2014: Lab 1850; NHAction 245; Lib 146; Grn 145; Con 97
2012: Lab 2312; LD 193; Grn 116; Lib 95; Con 88
2011: Lab 2223; LD 643; BNP 105; Con 94; Lib 83; Grn 50
2010: Lab 2817; LD 1526; BNP 278; Lib 274; Con 185; Grn 88
2008: Lab 1521; LD 1077; Lib 133; Con 97; Grn 96; Ind 27
2007: LD 1324; Lab 935; Lib 237; Grn 96; Con 76
2006: LD 1101; Lab 824; Lib 448; Grn 133; Con 95
2004: LD 1586, 1500, 1328; Lab 836, 719, 680; Lib 688, 519; Ind 335; Soc All 108, 55

Adam Heatherington is a former UKIP and Democrats & Veterans candidate who has stood multiple times in different wards, but never before in Anfield. Both the Liberal and Lib Dem stood for their parties here in May, with Jimmy Richardson having stood here for the Liberals in every elections since 2011.



LIVERPOOL MBC; Clubmoor (Lab died)
Candidates:
BUCKLEY, Liam James (Liberal Party)
CRANIE, Peter Andrew (Green)
FITZSIMMONS, Steve (Liberal Democrat)
HINE, Wendy (Conservative)
SMYTH, Matthew James (Labour)
WALSH, Ann Barbara (TUSC)
WHARTON, Laura-Jayne (Independent)

2021: Lab 1647; Lib 510; Grn 207; LD 147; Con 139
Dec 19 by: Lab 6276; Lib 420; Grn 328; LD 243
2019: Lab 1770; Lib 203; Grn 195; LD 118; Com 98
2018: Lab 2136; Lib 129; Con 127; Grn 104; LD 75
2016:Lab 2072; Grn 244; LD 204; Lib 200; Con 105
2015: Lab 5493; UKIP 711; Grn 260; Lib 221; Con 184; LD 157
2014: Lab 2201; UKIP 686; Lib 130; Grn 117; Con 75
2012: Lab 2587; UKIP 215; Lib 124; LD 106; TUSC 97; Grn 85; Con 81; British Freedom Party 26
2011: Lab 2904; LD 232; Con 184; Lib 166; Grn 125
2010: Lab 4245; Lib 1073; BNP 364; Con 281; Grn 148
2008: Lab 1341; Lib 839; BNP 358; Con 150; Grn 68; Ind 18
2007: Lab 1366; Lib 999; BNP 210; Con 147; Grn 99
2006: Lab 1440; Lib 791; LD 410; Con 132; Grn 120; Soc Lab 71
2004: Lab 1844, 1626, 1624; LD 1542, 1445, 1230; Lib 466, 432, 377; Soc Lab 72

Liam Buckley (Lib) stood here in May. Stephen Fitzsimmons (LD) stood in the 2019 by-election.



LIVERPOOL MBC; Kirkdale (Lab resigned)
Candidates:
BANNISTER, Roger (TUSC)
BURGESS, Kate Maria (Conservative)
COUGHLAN, Maria Teresa (Green)
FURMEDGE, Peter (No Description)
HANRATTY, Dave (Labour)
TURNER, Jenny (Liberal Democrats)

2021: Lab 1703; Grn 334; TUSC 324; LD 231; Con 168; Lib 107
2019: Lab 1935; UKIP 182; Grn 149; LD 95; Soc Alt 69; Con 31
2018: Lab 2094; TUSC 149; Grn 104; Con 103; LD 76; Lib 23
Jun 17by: Lab 6416; Con 346; Grn 177; LD 154
2016: Lab 2166; TUSC 276; Grn 181; Con 105
2015: Lab 5280; UKIP 442; Grn 318; TUSC 236; Con 210; Ind 70
2014: Lab 2303; TUSC 206; Grn 177; Lib 140; Con 100
2012: Lab 2771; TUSC 143; Grn 89; Ind 76; Con 59; LD 38; Lib 13
2011: Lab 3001; TUSC 162; Con 128; Grn 106; Lib 78
2010: Lab 4284; BNP 403; Lib 336; Con 246; Grn 133; Ind 86
2008: Lab 1971, 1737; BNP 389; Ind 146; LD 144, 107; Grn 96, 95; Con 95, 61; Lib 46
2007: Lab 1927; BNP 169; LD 147; UKIP 109; Grn 84; Con 66; Ind 47; Lib 37
2006: Lab 1958; LD 232, UKIP 182; Con 69; Grn 64; Lib 0*
2004: Lab 2378, 2315, 2145; Liverpool Labour Community Party 365, 258, 243; LD 274, 260, 250; Lib 125, 125, 105; Grn 125, 121, 115

Roger Bannister has stood here for TUSC/Socialist Alternative in every election since 2012 (apart from the last by-election). Kate Burgess stood for the Consrvatives here in 2019.

*As per LEAP. Liverpool Council website lists the candidate but not a vote total and other websites (Wikipedia, etc...) omit the Liberal candidate entirely.

Current Council: Lab 67; LD 12; Grn 4; Liberal Party & Independent Group 4 (3 Lib and 1 ex-Lab); 3 vacancies



MANCHESTER MBC; Chorlton (Lab resigned)
Candidates:
BENHAM, Mathew Henry (Labour)
FITZGIBBON, Kathleen (Conservative)
HARNETT, Paul (Independent)
HEATHCOTE, Jo (Women’s Equality Party)
HUGHES, Rosie (Liberal Democrats)
MILNER-EDWARDS, Simon Oscar (Green)

2021: Lab 3656; Grn 917; Con 368; LD 291; WEP 141
2019: Lab 2574; Grn 950; LD 575; Con 212; WEP 146; Ind 59
2018: Lab 3175, 3165, 2974; Grn 731, 728, 653; LD 614, 507, 463; WEP 465; Con 301, 242, 221; Ind 145

Kath Fitzgibbon and Jo Heathcote both stood for their respective parties here in May, with Jo Heathcote also having stood in 2018 and 2019. This election will be for the seat next due up in 2023.

Current Council: Lab 93; Grn 1; LD 1; 1 vacancy



RYEDALE DC; Cropton (Lib died)
Candidates:
CLARK, Alasdair Iain (Liberal Party)
McLANE, Richard George (Green)
WELLS, Jill Louise (Labour)
WHITE, Greg (Conservative)

2019: Lib 362; Ind 167; Con 128
2015: Lib 526; Con 471
2011: Lib 359; Con 353; LD 57
2007: Lib 342; Con 301; LD 86
2003: Lib 368; Con 306

The deceased councillor was John Clark – I don’t know if Alasdair is related or not?

Current Council: Con 11; Ind Grp 5; Lib 4; Independents for Ryedale 3; LD & Ind Grp 3 (2 LDs and 1 ex-Con); Ryedale First Ind 3; 1 vacancy



SOUTH RIBBLE DC; Bamber Bridge East (Lab died)
Candidates:
FORSHAW, Mathew (Conservative)
HUNTER, Patricia Clare (Labour)
KNOWLES, Rachel Jane (Green)

2019: Lab 474, 433; Con 303, 269; UKIP 241
2015: Lab 1127, 1021; Con 752, 736

Again, I don’t know if they’re related, but a Marie Forshaw was the UKIP candidate in 2019.

Current Council: Con 22; Lab 21; LD 5; Ind 1; 1 vacancy



TEWKESBURY DC; Brockworth East (Brockworth First resigned)
Candidates:
AMBROSE, Joseph Andrew (Labour)
EVANS, Gareth (Independent)
FUROLO, Ronald (Conservative)
MILLS, Charlotte Emily (No Description)
YATES, Gilbert Ian (Liberal Democrat)

2019: No Desc 352, 324; Con 227, 184; UKIP 140; LD 120, 70; Lab 89

Ronald Furolo was the top Conservative in 2019, and was previously a councillor for the old Brockworth ward from 2015-2019. Joe Ambrose was the Labour candidate for Brockworth division (Glos CC) in May this year.

Current Council: Con 23; LD 8; Brockworth First 3; Tewkesbury & Twyning Ind 2; Grn 1; 1 vacancy



WEST DEVON DC; Bere Ferrers (Lib Dem resigned)
Candidates:
BLACKMAN, Angela (Conservative)
MACIEJOWSKA, Judy Sara (Green)
REED, Graham Richard (Liberal Democrat)
SAXBY, Isabel Angela (Labour)

2019: LD 491, 258; Con 473; Lab 320, 149; UKIP 291
May 17by: Con 639; Lab 421; UKIP 164
2015: Ind 738; Con 681, 630; UKIP 504; Grn 445; Lab 430.

The Lib Dem elected in 2019 who has now resigned, was the Indy elected in 2015. The Green candidate stood here in 2015, she also stood in Yelverton Rural division (which contains half this ward) in May this year.

Current Council: Con 15; West Devon Alliance 13 (10 Ind, 2 Grn, 1 LD); Non Aligned Ind 2; 1 vacancy

[timrollpickering]

Oct 25, 2021 20:44:40 GMT Tony Otim said:

TEWKESBURY DC; Brockworth East (Brockworth First resigned)
Candidates:
EVANS, Gareth (Independent)

Evans's nomination has been ruled out of order as the proposer and seconder are not in the "electoral area".
tewkesburyborough-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/website_tewkesburyborough_onmicrosoft_com/ESbpskNRXu1OtFbCstPe7ZYBLNiXSsFmPHKz-hcqv4MxRA?e=f8jX3x

[Tony Otim]

Oct 25, 2021 21:49:23 GMT timrollpickering said:

Oct 25, 2021 20:44:40 GMT Tony Otim said:

TEWKESBURY DC; Brockworth East (Brockworth First resigned)
Candidates:
EVANS, Gareth (Independent)

Evans's nomination has been ruled out of order as the proposer and seconder are not in the "electoral area".
tewkesburyborough-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/website_tewkesburyborough_onmicrosoft_com/ESbpskNRXu1OtFbCstPe7ZYBLNiXSsFmPHKz-hcqv4MxRA?e=f8jX3x

Thanks - quite a bumper week this week and I'd missed that...

[andrew111]

Oct 25, 2021 21:49:23 GMT timrollpickering said:

Oct 25, 2021 20:44:40 GMT Tony Otim said:

TEWKESBURY DC; Brockworth East (Brockworth First resigned)
Candidates:
EVANS, Gareth (Independent)

Evans's nomination has been ruled out of order as the proposer and seconder are not in the "electoral area".
tewkesburyborough-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/website_tewkesburyborough_onmicrosoft_com/ESbpskNRXu1OtFbCstPe7ZYBLNiXSsFmPHKz-hcqv4MxRA?e=f8jX3x

Nice boost for "no description"?

They do usually top the poll..

[froome]

Oct 25, 2021 20:44:40 GMT Tony Otim said:

LIVERPOOL MBC; Anfield (Lab died)
Candidates:
HEATHERINGTON, Adam (No Description)
HODGE, Daryl (Green)
McGING, Alma Gavine (Conservative)
O’BRIEN, Tricia (Labour)
RICHARDSON, Jimmy (Liberal Party)
RUETERJANS, Wiebke Angela Hildegard (Liberal Democrat)

2021: Lab 1520; Lib 247; Grn 171; Con 120; LD 104; Ind 94
2019: Lab 1448; Grn 193; Lib 141; LD 97; Con 97
2018: Lab 1777; Con 140; LD 134; Grn 114; Lib 56
2016: Lab 1601; Lib 132; Grn 120; LD 120; Con 89; TUSC 65
2015: Lab 4276; UKIP 568; Lib 281; Grn 261; Con 126; TUSC 68
2014: Lab 1850; NHAction 245; Lib 146; Grn 145; Con 97
2012: Lab 2312; LD 193; Grn 116; Lib 95; Con 88
2011: Lab 2223; LD 643; BNP 105; Con 94; Lib 83; Grn 50
2010: Lab 2817; LD 1526; BNP 278; Lib 274; Con 185; Grn 88
2008: Lab 1521; LD 1077; Lib 133; Con 97; Grn 96; Ind 27
2007: LD 1324; Lab 935; Lib 237; Grn 96; Con 76
2006: LD 1101; Lab 824; Lib 448; Grn 133; Con 95
2004: LD 1586, 1500, 1328; Lab 836, 719, 680; Lib 688, 519; Ind 335; Soc All 108, 55

Adam Heatherington is a former UKIP and Democrats & Veterans candidate who has stood multiple times in different wards, but never before in Anfield. Both the Liberal and Lib Dem stood for their parties here in May, with Jimmy Richardson having stood here for the Liberals in every elections since 2011.



LIVERPOOL MBC; Clubmoor (Lab died)
Candidates:
BUCKLEY, Liam James (Liberal Party)
CRANIE, Peter Andrew (Green)
FITZSIMMONS, Steve (Liberal Democrat)
HINE, Wendy (Conservative)
SMYTH, Matthew James (Labour)
WALSH, Ann Barbara (TUSC)
WHARTON, Laura-Jayne (Independent)

2021: Lab 1647; Lib 510; Grn 207; LD 147; Con 139
Dec 19 by: Lab 6276; Lib 420; Grn 328; LD 243
2019: Lab 1770; Lib 203; Grn 195; LD 118; Com 98
2018: Lab 2136; Lib 129; Con 127; Grn 104; LD 75
2016:Lab 2072; Grn 244; LD 204; Lib 200; Con 105
2015: Lab 5493; UKIP 711; Grn 260; Lib 221; Con 184; LD 157
2014: Lab 2201; UKIP 686; Lib 130; Grn 117; Con 75
2012: Lab 2587; UKIP 215; Lib 124; LD 106; TUSC 97; Grn 85; Con 81; British Freedom Party 26
2011: Lab 2904; LD 232; Con 184; Lib 166; Grn 125
2010: Lab 4245; Lib 1073; BNP 364; Con 281; Grn 148
2008: Lab 1341; Lib 839; BNP 358; Con 150; Grn 68; Ind 18
2007: Lab 1366; Lib 999; BNP 210; Con 147; Grn 99
2006: Lab 1440; Lib 791; LD 410; Con 132; Grn 120; Soc Lab 71
2004: Lab 1844, 1626, 1624; LD 1542, 1445, 1230; Lib 466, 432, 377; Soc Lab 72

Liam Buckley (Lib) stood here in May. Stephen Fitzsimmons (LD) stood in the 2019 by-election.



LIVERPOOL MBC; Kirkdale (Lab resigned)
Candidates:
BANNISTER, Roger (TUSC)
BURGESS, Kate Maria (Conservative)
COUGHLAN, Maria Teresa (Green)
FURMEDGE, Peter (No Description)
HANRATTY, Dave (Labour)
TURNER, Jenny (Liberal Democrats)

2021: Lab 1703; Grn 334; TUSC 324; LD 231; Con 168; Lib 107
2019: Lab 1935; UKIP 182; Grn 149; LD 95; Soc Alt 69; Con 31
2018: Lab 2094; TUSC 149; Grn 104; Con 103; LD 76; Lib 23
Jun 17by: Lab 6416; Con 346; Grn 177; LD 154
2016: Lab 2166; TUSC 276; Grn 181; Con 105
2015: Lab 5280; UKIP 442; Grn 318; TUSC 236; Con 210; Ind 70
2014: Lab 2303; TUSC 206; Grn 177; Lib 140; Con 100
2012: Lab 2771; TUSC 143; Grn 89; Ind 76; Con 59; LD 38; Lib 13
2011: Lab 3001; TUSC 162; Con 128; Grn 106; Lib 78
2010: Lab 4284; BNP 403; Lib 336; Con 246; Grn 133; Ind 86
2008: Lab 1971, 1737; BNP 389; Ind 146; LD 144, 107; Grn 96, 95; Con 95, 61; Lib 46
2007: Lab 1927; BNP 169; LD 147; UKIP 109; Grn 84; Con 66; Ind 47; Lib 37
2006: Lab 1958; LD 232, UKIP 182; Con 69; Grn 64; Lib 0*
2004: Lab 2378, 2315, 2145; Liverpool Labour Community Party 365, 258, 243; LD 274, 260, 250; Lib 125, 125, 105; Grn 125, 121, 115

Roger Bannister has stood here for TUSC/Socialist Alternative in every election since 2012 (apart from the last by-election). Kate Burgess stood for the Consrvatives here in 2019.

*As per LEAP. Liverpool Council website lists the candidate but not a vote total and other websites (Wikipedia, etc...) omit the Liberal candidate entirely.

Current Council: Lab 67; LD 12; Grn 4; Liberal Party & Independent Group 3 (2 Lib and 1 ex-Lab); 1 Liberal Party (Steve Radford); 3 vacancies



[

I've obviously missed a story, but does this mean the Liberal Party have split here, or just Steve Radford doing his own thing?

[timrollpickering]

Oct 26, 2021 13:20:51 GMT froome said:

Oct 25, 2021 20:44:40 GMT Tony Otim said:

LIVERPOOL MBC
Current Council: Lab 67; LD 12; Grn 4; Liberal Party & Independent Group 3 (2 Lib and 1 ex-Lab); 1 Liberal Party (Steve Radford); 3 vacancies

I've obviously missed a story, but does this mean the Liberal Party have split here, or just Steve Radford doing his own thing?

I think this is a "Why the council webmaster needs replacing" situation. Radford is listed as "Leader of the Liberal Party and Independent Group" so it's probably just a database error.

councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=301

[maxque]

Oct 25, 2021 20:44:40 GMT Tony Otim said:

RYEDALE DC; Cropton (Lib died)
Candidates:
CLARK, Alasdair Iain (Liberal Party)
McLANE, Richard George (Green)
WELLS, Jill Louise (Labour)
WHITE, Greg (Conservative)

2019: Lib 362; Ind 167; Con 128
2015: Lib 526; Con 471
2011: Lib 359; Con 353; LD 57
2007: Lib 342; Con 301; LD 86
2003: Lib 368; Con 306

The deceased councillor was John Clark – I don’t know if Alasdair is related or not?

His son.

[Tony Otim]

Oct 26, 2021 13:28:23 GMT timrollpickering said:

Oct 26, 2021 13:20:51 GMT froome said:

I've obviously missed a story, but does this mean the Liberal Party have split here, or just Steve Radford doing his own thing?

I think this is a "Why the council webmaster needs replacing" situation. Radford is listed as "Leader of the Liberal Party and Independent Group" so it's probably just a database error.

councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=301

Looks like it, and I've updated the original post. I notice that the Liberal Party website lists all 4 as Liberal Party councillors, so not sure where the Independent bit comes from if that's the case?

This weeks lot were a bit of a nightmare to put together, so other mistakes may be possible...

[timrollpickering]

Peter Mitchell (Croxteth) left Labour earlier this year after being administratively suspended since 2019. He was reported as sitting as an Independent which presumably explains the joint group (what extra did it deliver to the Continuity Liberal Party?) unless he's since discovered he's opposed to a merger with a group of ex Labour members 33 years ago.

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-labour-councillor-quits-another-19863883

[Tony Otim]

I know that, but the Liberal Party seem to want to claim him as one of their own:

liberal.org.uk/elected-councillors/

[timrollpickering]

He seems to have finished the move last week:

[andrewteale]

Oct 25, 2021 20:44:40 GMT Tony Otim said:

LIVERPOOL MBC; Kirkdale (Lab resigned)

2006: Lab 1958; LD 232, UKIP 182; Con 69; Grn 64; Lib 0*
*As per LEAP. Liverpool Council website lists the candidate but not a vote total and other websites (Wikipedia, etc...) omit the Liberal candidate entirely.

The Liberal candidate was definitely declared as polling zero votes. According to press reports from the time Steve Radford demanded a recount after the declaration and was told no.

[philipchandler]

News from Chorlton, Paul Harnett (Ind) has apparently withdrawn from the campaign in favour of 'The party that has the best chance of beating Labour'.



From what I can understand, Harnett is linked to Extinction Rebellion and was standing on the sole issue of opposing the proposed development of Ryebank fields, which have been a site of XR protest since the summer. Greens and Lib Dems both oppose development of the site.

The back of Harnett's leaflet is an advert for "A one hour guided walk followed by a public meeting to answer one question...How can we best send a message to the Manchester Labour party that we need to put people and environment above profit and big buisness?" Attendance of Harnett (described as a council candidate here) and the Green candidate is promised, so I think I can anticipate the conclusion that the meeting will come to.

Other leaflets recieved are 2 from Labour and 2 from Lib Dems. Fairly standard from both, Lib Dems leading on opposition to Ryebank (some photos of the candidate and John Leach walking on the fields), attacking Labour over the state of Greater Manchester Police and also pointing out the current lack of opposition on the council.

[wickofthesouth]

Does the absence of a LibDem candidate in Canterbury have any relation to the fact the Greens missed out by just 9 votes last time?

[The Bishop]

To be more accurate, the top placed of their candidates did - and polled well ahead of the other two. Did their candidate this time stand then?

[Tony Otim]

Nov 12, 2021 11:54:08 GMT The Bishop said:

To be more accurate, the top placed of their candidates did - and polled well ahead of the other two. Did their candidate this time stand then?

No - none of the candidates this time have any electoral history in the ward that I could see.

[andrew111]

Random fact: Bere Ferrers Ward is in the Torridge and West Devon constituency.

Edit:I guess this is the Lib Dem candidate, seems to be a local parish councillor

plymouth.lib.dm/en/article/2019/1333897/graham-reed-lib-dem-candidate-for-plymouth-sutton-and-devonport

[shadsy]

Smarkets have gone with Gorrell as this week's by-election betting market:

smarkets.com/event/42472013/politics/uk/by-elections/gorell-by-election

The opening odds would suggest win probabilities of:
57% Green
37% Labour
 5%  Cons
 1%  Workers

[owainsutton]

Oct 25, 2021 20:44:40 GMT Tony Otim said:

LIVERPOOL MBC; Clubmoor (Lab died)
Candidates:
BUCKLEY, Liam James (Liberal Party)
CRANIE, Peter Andrew (Green)
FITZSIMMONS, Steve (Liberal Democrat)
HINE, Wendy (Conservative)
SMYTH, Matthew James (Labour)
WALSH, Ann Barbara (TUSC)
WHARTON, Laura-Jayne (Independent)

Small factoid: Peter Cranie was top of the Green list for the Euros in 2009, and fell just short: the final seat in the NW region instead went to the BNP & Nick Griffin. (132,194 vs 127,133)

[Pete Whitehead]

Nov 15, 2021 19:24:30 GMT owainsutton said:

Oct 25, 2021 20:44:40 GMT Tony Otim said:

LIVERPOOL MBC; Clubmoor (Lab died)
Candidates:
BUCKLEY, Liam James (Liberal Party)
CRANIE, Peter Andrew (Green)
FITZSIMMONS, Steve (Liberal Democrat)
HINE, Wendy (Conservative)
SMYTH, Matthew James (Labour)
WALSH, Ann Barbara (TUSC)
WHARTON, Laura-Jayne (Independent)

Small factoid: Peter Cranie was top of the Green list for the Euros in 2009, and fell just short: the final seat in the NW region instead went to the BNP & Nick Griffin. (132,194 vs 127,133)

Everybody here knows that because he was actually a regular poster on the predecessor site at the time.
Meanwhile I assume Steve Fitzsimmons is the former Conservative councillor who was the last to be elected in the city (in 1994 IIRC) and who defected to the Lib Dems a few years back