Disillusionment with local and national leaders could make next week’s election the city’s most unpredictable in years
The Liverpudlian folk hero Jamie Webster has become used to lyrics from his hit song Something’s Gotta Give – “How can you tell me that this is where it’s at / When all the clowns are calling the shots?” – being quoted on social media whenever his city hits the headlines. He says his music fans – “the ordinary working man and woman” – use the song to channel their frustration at those in power.
And there’s been plenty of opportunity in the last year. In October the city had one of England’s highest rates of coronavirus deaths and became the first UK region to be placed into a tier 3 lockdown. Then political turmoil hit when the Labour mayor, Joe Anderson, was arrested along with other council officials as part of an investigation into allegedly corrupt building and development contracts. (Anderson has denied any wrongdoing.) The government ordered commissioners to work alongside city councillors in some departments, describing a “dysfunctional” council with “an environment of intimidation”.
