St Helens Labour has celebrated the election of Stephen Owen as the new Labour Councillor for Billinge and Seneley Green following a successful by-election campaign.
The result sees Labour return to the ward with Stephen Owen securing victory and pledging to work hard for every resident across Billinge and Seneley Green.
It's an absolute privilege and honour, to be selected to represent the ward of Billinge and Seneley Green, as your new Labour Councillor. - Cllr Stephen Owen
Following the result, Cllr Owen said:
“It’s an absolute privilege and honour, to be selected to represent the ward of Billinge and Seneley Green, as your new Labour Councillor.
To the other parties and independents who stood in the by-election. I hope they continue on their political journeys, supporting the people of Billinge and Seneley Green.
Thank you to the people of the great ward of Billinge and Seneley Green. You have placed your faith in me, and the party I represent, to serve you, to deliver for us.
I will never fail to disappoint you, working hard to repair the trust in politics, through my displayed actions, not words.
I would like to say thank you to my campaign team, led by four incredibly strong North West women, their support, guidance, experience and hard work has contributed to securing Labour’s success in Billinge and Seneley Green, today.
They are truly amazing.
Thank you to Andy Burnham PM, David Baines MP and Steve Rotheram Mayor of the Liverpool City Region for your continual support is greatly appreciated.
Thank you to all the activists that supported my campaign. Your hard work helped deliver today’s result . The campaign has repaired our resilience, we have grown stronger together. The camaraderie shown between the team, everyone focused, working hard, was an absolute pleasure being involved, being a part of something special.
I believe today the people of Billinge and Seneley Green, have voted for a return to locally driven politics, rejecting decisive, centrally driven agendas.
Now is the time to start the healing process. Let’s start working together, delivering for us, supporting each other.
Thank you to the Labour Party and its members for placing your faith in me.”
David Baines MP welcomed the result and praised Cllr Owen’s commitment to the local community.
It’s clear that lots of voters already feel let down by Reform, who have appeared to be more interested in point scoring than problem solving. We know it’s a long road back to win people’s trust, and we’ll keep going under Andy Burnham’s leadership and with a strong local team that loves our community. I’m looking forward to working with Cllr Owen for the good of everyone in Billinge and Seneley Green - David Baines MP St Helens North
“Massive congratulations to our new Labour Councillor, Steve Owen!
First and foremost this is a great result for the people of Billinge and Seneley Green who have gained a decent, hardworking councillor. However you voted, I know Steve will do his best for each and every resident.
And it’s obviously a good result for Labour to win here just a few months after we lost the seat.
It’s clear that lots of voters already feel let down by Reform, who have appeared to be more interested in point scoring than problem solving.
We know it’s a long road back to win people’s trust, and we’ll keep going under Andy Burnham’s leadership and with a strong local team that loves our community.
I’m looking forward to working with Cllr Owen for the good of everyone in Billinge and Seneley Green.”
This is an important victory for Labour, but above all it is a victory for the people of Billinge and Seneley Green, who now have a committed local representative who understands the community and will work tirelessly on their behalf. Steve ran a positive and determined campaign, listening to residents, talking about the issues that matter locally and setting out a clear commitment to put the ward first. - Cllr Keith Laird, Leader of St Helens Labour Group
Cllr Keith Laird, Leader of St Helens Labour Group, said:
“I want to offer my warmest congratulations to Steve Owen on a fantastic result and on becoming Labour’s newest councillor in St Helens.
This is an important victory for Labour, but above all it is a victory for the people of Billinge and Seneley Green, who now have a committed local representative who understands the community and will work tirelessly on their behalf.
Steve ran a positive and determined campaign, listening to residents, talking about the issues that matter locally and setting out a clear commitment to put the ward first. His promise to rebuild trust through actions rather than words is exactly the approach that local politics needs.
I also want to pay tribute to everyone who played their part in the campaign. Our activists led by Tracy Dickinson, our wonderful volunteers and campaign team worked incredibly hard, showing the determination and community spirit that has always been at the heart of St Helens Labour.
We know there is much more work to do to rebuild trust in politics, and this result is not a reason for complacency. It is a responsibility. We will work with Steve to make sure that responsibility is honoured and that the people of Billinge and Seneley Green have a strong voice at St Helens Council.
Congratulations, Steve. Welcome to the Labour Group.”