Mike Prendergast: It’s time for change in Sefton

Cllr Mike Prendergast is the Leader of the Conservative Group on Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

In May 2026, voters in Sefton will, for the first time in around 20 years, have the chance to elect an entirely new council, with all-out elections following a boundary review.

By then, Labour will have run Sefton Council for 14 years (we get to use this on them!), and it’s clear that there is an appetite for change amongst people across the borough. But will the Tory bloodletting be done by then; will we be able to take advantage of what is (certainly now at least) one of the most unpopular national governments in a generation?

Local elections aren’t just about bins, budgets, and potholes — they’re about values. They’re about competence, priorities, and who’s on your side. And in Sefton, Labour has let people down time and again.

Sefton Conservatives are standing up, speaking plainly, and offering something different: honesty, accountability, and a clear plan to deliver.

Our plan is simple: Acknowledge the Past. Own the Future. Win. We’re not hiding from the past, we’re taking charge of the future — and we’re determined to win for our communities.

Let’s start with a dose of honesty.

This may be somewhat of an understatement, but we Conservatives haven’t been perfect. Yes, when in government, we faced huge challenges: global shocks, the pandemic, war in Ukraine, inflationary pressure.

But a lot of our current situation is of our own making; infighting, scandals and division never play well with the electorate and all too many councillors will know that local elections are very often the first chance the public get to punish the party that is the subject of their ire.

Let’s be under no illusions either, the General Election wasn’t about change, it was about punishment for failings, perceived or otherwise, and the May elections this year were arguably a continuation of that.

In Sefton, it’s Labour who have made the mistakes, have been in power too long, and have failed to deliver.

It’s Labour who wasted £32.5 million on a dilapidated shopping centre, it’s Labour who set up a building company that owes the council around £8 million, it’s Labour who set up a hospitality company (I kid you not) that has losses of over £1.5million, and it’s Labour who, while doing this sterling work, increased Council Tax by around 50%.

They set the local priorities. They make the local decisions. And under their watch, Sefton has slid backwards.

Children’s Services were graded as “inadequate” with a government inspector being sent in, it was so bad. Years on, and well over £250 million later, it’s still failing to protect the most vulnerable.

Our town centres are not maintained. Town centre regeneration? Labour dithers while shops close and streets decline.

Labour in Sefton isn’t just out of touch — they’re out of time and ideas.

What of Reform? Yes they are clearly a threat but what do they stand for? What do they actually believe in? Who will Nigel fall out with next? All valid questions.

The choice in Sefton isn’t between Labour and perfect. It’s between Labour and better. And we are ready to be better — with a team of hardworking, rooted, local candidates who care deeply about where they live.

We’re not just pointing out Labour’s failings. We’ve got a plan to turn things around — and the focus is simple: deliver more, waste less, and put residents first.

We will keep council tax low. Households are under pressure. Unlike Labour, we won’t treat taxpayers like cash cows. We’ll work smarter, cut waste, and focus on real priorities.

We will cut bureaucracy and get the council back to basics. We’ll simplify structures, fix broken systems, and make sure frontline services are properly funded and accountable.

We will deliver value for money. We will stop the endless list of companies that Sefton Council gets involved in; does your council compete against local businesses with it’s own hospitality company? Didn’t think so…

We will revive our town centres. High streets should be places of pride, not neglect. We’ll support small businesses, help bring empty units back to life, and make our town centres clean, safe and vibrant again.

We will grow the local economy. Sefton has massive potential — from the classic Victorian towns like Southport, with wonderful heritage, to the gateway to the world at Seaforth Docks. Sefton should be attracting more inward investment.

We will build in the right places. We’ll protect green space and push for sustainable housing on brownfield land — with proper infrastructure to match. We will back builders and deliver the new homes that people need in the right places.

We will stand up for working families. That means affordable childcare, better local transport, quality education, and support for those doing the right thing.

We’re fighting to win because Sefton deserves better and we think we can do a better job than anyone else.

It’s that simple. Better than a failing Labour council that takes voters for granted. Better than wasteful bureaucracy and rising bills. Better than being ignored, overlooked, and overcharged.

We have the determination to do what Labour won’t: fix what’s broken, stand up for taxpayers, and deliver for our communities.