Report: Maureen Mills

It's fitting that in 2018 - the centenary of the first women winning the right to vote in the UK - recent local elections have delivered historic victories for women councillors across the Borough.

After West Lancashire Labour took seats in Burscough and North Meols, and retained seats in Ormskirk and Skelmersdale with women candidates, the balance of the West Lancashire Labour Group is now almost fifty percent women to men.

Of the thirty three seats on the council held by the ruling Labour Group, sixteen are now held by women; all five new Labour Councillors are women, which has led to a significant improvement in the gender balance of the council.

Deputy Leader of the council, Cllr Yvonne Gagen told QLocal this morning: "This is a fantastic result for all women across the borough of West Lancashire, as it brings a greater representative balance to the council.

“Each of our new councillors went through a rigorous selection process and were chosen by their local residents as outstanding candidates for their wards.

“They all went on to fight a determined campaign, just like the women who fought for our right to vote 100 years ago.

“The Labour Party is committed to gender equality in politics and we are immensely proud that West Lancashire is leading the way locally in achieving this.”

The new Labour Councillors elected on 3 May are: Burscough East Ward: Cllr Sue Evans, Burscough West Ward: Cllr Cynthia Dereli, Ormskirk Knowsley Ward: Cllr Michelle Aldridge, North Meols Ward: Cllr Kath Lockie and Skelmersdale South Ward: Cllr Vickie Cummins.

Pictured are l - r: Councillors Vickie Cummins, Sue Evans and Kath Lockie

We need councillors from all walks of life but think the Labour party are wrapping themselves in knots see https://order-order.com/2018/05/23/l...self-identify/