I’ve lived in Bootle for 33 years: I’m retired and a wife, mum and Netherton Primary School Governor; the general mood of most people in this country now appears to be one of total frustration and helplessness about our political system; we feel that our politicians don’t care about us, only about their own self interests.

Full statement

This feeling extends to our local politicians in Sefton. We know they purport to consult the residents in “Consultations”. However, even if residents do engage, their opinions are ignored. The feeling is that they indulge in vanity projects – at huge cost to taxpayers – yet neglect the most basic resident needs, such as potholes, emptying the bins and keeping the streets clean. In short, like many other Councils, they have become drunk on power and have far exceeded their remit of serving the people. They now seem to only want to control the people – just as National Government does. Local Councillors have great power to influence residents’ lives for the better. However, those representing the mainstream parties only toe the Westminster “party line”.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I beg you to not simply vote in the same candidates that you always have simply because we are “working class and have to vote Labour”. You know that they have not worked in your best interests (in the same way Westminster representatives haven’t either). We need to urgently stop politicians trashing democracy in the way they have – and have every intention of continuing to do so. We need to start initiating that change now. Show them we can see what they are doing. We can only bring about this change by electing people with integrity, who refuse to be dictated to by Westminster, or other, vested interests. Please give me a chance to represent you in Sefton Council, and I will do so with integrity, common sense, honesty and transparency.

I will make change by: • Challenging some of Sefton’s more totalitarian policies. Are they necessary – and whose interests are they serving?; • Challenging unproven and dubious “Net Zero” climate policies. Globalist “Greenwashing” serves to make the poor poorer and the rich richer; • Keeping cash in circulation and fighting against the introduction of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and social credit scoring. This is about control and not for your convenience; • Challenging restrictions on freedom of speech and freedom of movement • Challenging Sefton Council regarding their services - are they using public money in OUR best interests? Are their services fit for purpose? Have they actually listened to the residents? Where is the evidence? How are they spending “Levelling up” money? • Following a petition from residents, Sefton Council conceded in March 2024 they will live stream all Council public meetings. I will most certainly be holding them to account on that! Vote Maria Walsh for Freedom Alliance in Netherton & Orrell ward!