Mersey Reporter - Merseybites News

THE local election landscape in Knowsley shifted significantly on:- Friday, May 2026, as counting concluded at the Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park, in Huyton. Mirroring recent trends in St Helens, the borough saw a notable surge in support for Reform UK, who secured several key seats across the Region. Overall engagement saw a marked improvement compared to previous years, with a total turnout of:- 28.63%, a healthy increase from the:- 21.48% recorded in 2024.

The day began with the 1st results arriving just after:- 12:15, setting a diverse tone for the afternoon. In Cherryfield, Dr David Hitchmough took the seat as an Independent with:- 628 votes, narrowly ahead of Reform UK’s Josie Annesley who secured 605. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats found success in Prescot North, where Frances Wynn was elected with:- 1,059 votes. The Green Party also made early gains in:- Prescot South, as Kai Taylor secured a decisive:- 1,212 votes, while Labour maintained a presence in Swanside with Colin Dever being returned to office with:- 1,187 votes.

As the afternoon progressed, the momentum for Reform UK became increasingly evident. In Stockbridge, Josh Culley took the seat with 802 votes, while David Gilbertson claimed victory in Whiston and Cronton with:- 920 votes. Brian Beddows added to the Reform UK tally in:- Halewood North, winning a closely contested race with:- 765 votes. Independent candidates also fared well in this midday, with:- Brian Johns securing Whitefield with:- 1,006 votes and Steve Guy taking Shevington with:- 870 votes.

By 13:15, a further 5 wards had declared, further complicating the political map. The Green Party celebrated victories in St Gabriels, where Cath Golding won with:- 958 votes, and in Page Moss, where Ria Rembadi was elected with:- 703 votes. In Halewood South, Independent Joanne Harvey achieved a significant win with:- 1,204 votes. Labour saw success in St Michaels, where Matt Costello was elected with:- 862 votes, and in Roby, where the party secured both available seats; Kevin Bannon and Gary See were elected with:- 1,237 and 959 votes respectively in the ward which saw the day’s highest turnout at:- 37.7%.

The final declaration of the day came from:- Northwood, where Alexander Hitchmough secured another seat for Reform UK with:- 849 votes, defeating Labour’s Marie Roughley. This final result confirmed a day of significant change for Knowsley, defined by a move away from traditional party lines and a surge in support for both:- Reform UK and Independent candidates across the borough.

Events in the Liverpool City Region:-