Controversial Press Release by Sefton Council Sparks Political Outrage

Was Pier Press Release in Breach of Rules?

Conservatives in Sefton are calling on Sefton Council to explain why they chose to publish a, potentially, politically sensitive press release during the local election campaign.

The rules relating to publicity by councils during election periods, often known as ‘purdah’, state that no publicity on matters which are politically controversial should be published. 

Yet on 29th April, just days before voters went to the polls across Sefton, a press release was put out by Sefton Council lauding the fact that a contractor had been appointed to refurbish the Pier, even though there is no money to pay the contractor yet.

Conservative Leader on Sefton Council, Mike Prendergast said, “The rules are designed to make sure the ruling party can’t simply use the council for campaign purposes and influence the electorate. 

Southport Pier is a politically sensitive topic, during the local election campaign it was probably the most talked about single issue for Southport residents and businesses. 

I cannot for the life of me think why anyone at Sefton Council though it would be a good idea to put out a press release, on what was effectively a very minor part of the ongoing issues relating to Southport Pier. 

The rules on council publicity are clear, if it’s politically sensitive, don’t publish a press release about it during a campaign period.

What’s even more bizarre is that the same press release could have been published at 10.01pm on 2nd May and there would have been no issue to be discussed and no questions to answer about timing or appropriateness. 

Why did a press release on Southport Pier have to be urgently published on 29th April as opposed to waiting a few days? 

Or to put it another way, why was it important to put out a ‘good’ news story about the Pier before the local elections as opposed to after the local elections?

This has echoes of what happened in 2022 when the then Leader of the Council, Cllr Ian Maher, sent out a politically charged letter with Council Tax Bills to Sefton households.

We think that Sefton Council tax payers deserve an explanation as to why Sefton Council decided to publish a press release on such a politically sensitive issue during a local election campaign. 

Is this a good use of public money and resources at that particular time?

It may be that this issue needs to be examined by an independent body such as the Local Government Ombudsman to ensure the rules have been followed.”