St Helens Labour has announced its candidates for Town Centre Ward in May’s all-out local elections, with Cllr Michelle Sweeney seeking re-election alongside new candidate Michael Angelo Fisher.
The candidates were unveiled following St Helens Labour’s major campaign launch event, which brought together members, councillors, MPs and regional leaders as the party begins its campaign ahead of elections where every council seat will be contested.
Cllr Sweeney will be seeking re-election after representing residents in the Town Centre Ward, while Michael joins the team as a new candidate committed to serving the local community.
The announcement forms part of Labour’s borough-wide campaign to stand candidates in every ward across St Helens.
Speaking about the Town Centre Ward team, Council Leader Anthony Burns praised the candidates while also paying tribute to a retiring councillor.
Anthony Burns said:
“Michelle has worked tirelessly for residents in the Town Centre and has a strong track record of delivering for the community. I’m also delighted to welcome Michael as a new candidate who brings enthusiasm and a clear commitment to public service.
“Together they are a strong team who will continue working with residents to support the Town Centre and ensure it benefits from the investment and services our council is delivering.
“I also want to pay tribute to Councillor Anne McCormack for her years of dedicated service. She has been a committed and hardworking representative for the Town Centre, and her contribution to the community will leave a lasting impact.”
The candidate announcement follows Labour’s borough-wide campaign launch attended by senior party figures including Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and St Helens MPs David Baines and Marie Rimmer.
May’s elections will see every seat on St Helens Borough Council contested as part of the authority’s all-out election cycle.
Cllr Anne McCormack said:
“It has been an honour to serve the people of the Town Centre. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to support residents and improve our area, and I’m confident Michelle and Michael will continue that work with dedication and care.”
Cllr Michelle Sweeney said:
“It’s a privilege to represent the Town Centre and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved. As chair of children’s and young people services for the last two years. I am proud of the work we have undertaken, and I’ve seen our services be rated good and outstanding by Ofsted which marks a significant improvement despite the difficult climate we have had to navigate, only with the Labour council and the support of all the Labour group prioritising our most vulnerable has this been made possible. There is still more to do, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work hard for residents.”
Michael Fisher said:
“I’m proud to be standing to represent the Town Centre, such a vital part of our borough. I am looking forward to speaking with neighbours and building a local politics that is Community based, People centred, and Voter led.”
St Helens Labour says it will continue announcing candidates for other wards across the borough in the coming weeks as the campaign for May’s elections gathers pace.