Senior Labour figures Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram joined local campaigners in Blackbrook, St Helens, this weekend, as the party stepped up its campaign ahead of the crucial 2026 local elections, where all 48 council seats are being contested.
The visit marked a major show of support for Labour’s candidates across the borough and highlighted the party’s commitment to delivering its ambitious “Forward Together” plan for St Helens.
Speaking during the visit, Andy Burnham praised the borough’s record under Labour leadership and the strength of its future vision:
“Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region are both growing faster than the UK average we are closing the North South divide. If I compare how we are now to where we were in the 80s when I was at school in St Helens, this borough was in a really bad place. Who was in the Tory party? A certain Mr Farage and a certain Mr Tice – they were the ones saying Maggie has not gone far enough! They ripped St Helens apart in the 1980’s, I remember it. It is so important to remind people who we are up against. Farage and Tice, Reform are the new Thatcherites.”
Who was in the Tory party in the 80’s? A certain Mr Farage and a certain Mr Tice – they were the ones saying Maggie has not gone far enough! They ripped St Helens apart in the 1980’s, I remember it. It is so important to remind people who we are up against. Farage and Tice, Reform are the new Thatcherites. - Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
Steve Rotheram emphasised the importance of partnership across the Liverpool City Region:
“Regeneration is happening all around us here from Parkside to the investment in the town centre, bringing buses back into public control, have a look at how many affordable homes have been built for families to put down roots and grow the economy! That happens because we are all working together.”
Regeneration is happening all around us here from Parkside to the investment in the town centre, bringing buses back into public control, have a look at how many affordable homes have been built for families to put down roots and grow the economy! That happens because we are all working together - Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region
Labour’s manifesto, which sets out a programme focused on economic growth, investment in public services, safer communities, and support for working families. While opposition parties backed a plan that the Council’s finance officer said would “create long term pain for St Helens residents” the “Forward Together” agenda positions Labour as the only party offering a comprehensive and deliverable strategy for the borough’s future.
Leader of St Helens Council, Anthony Burns, said the election represented a clear choice for residents:
“This election is about who has a credible plan for St Helens and who can deliver. Labour has a track record of delivery and a manifesto that is rooted in the priorities of our communities. We are proud of what we’ve achieved, but we are even more ambitious about what comes next. We have a great team of candidates across the borough, all who understand the rigours of Local Government, what is expected of them to run a council, they understand their areas and are ready to deliver for local people from day one. From tackling the cost of living to investing in our town centres, Labour is focused on the issues that matter most to people here in St Helens. This weekend’s visit shows the strength of support behind our local team and our shared determination to keep moving the borough forward.”
From tackling the cost of living to investing in our town centres, Labour is focused on the issues that matter most to people here in St Helens. This weekend’s visit shows the strength of support behind our local team and our shared determination to keep moving the borough forward. - Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Labour
Local MP David Baines said:
“All around the borough you can see the different a Labour Council is making working with a Labour Government and a Labour City Region. Through Covid we saw the borough come together public sector, private sector and the public. St Helens Borough is a fantastic place, right now we have people who are trying to divide us. What we are showing as a Labour Council with Labour MPs and Labour Metro Mayor is that when we work together, we can do so much more. We have so many opportunities in the borough to improve people’s lives We are already seeing that with town centre regeneration, Parkside, Glass Futures, new houses, investment in schools, SEND and much more. With a Labour Government we can do so much more, but we can only do it with a Labour Council.”
We have so many opportunities in the borough to improve people’s lives We are already seeing that with town centre regeneration, Parkside, Glass Futures, new houses, investment in schools, SEND and much more. With a Labour Government we can do so much more, but we can only do it with a Labour Council - David Baines MP, St Helens North
The Blackbrook event brought together candidates, activists and residents, reinforcing Labour’s message that only a united, locally focused approach can deliver for every part of St Helens.
With polling day approaching, Labour is urging voters across the borough to back its candidates and support its plan to take St Helens “Forward Together.”
