According to reports, Labour will back the move
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has hit out at the Labour Party over their proposed plans to support the government’s takeover of Liverpool in the wake of a corruption scandal.
In a tweet sent on Wednesday morning, the Sky Sports pundit called on Labour to do something it has categorically failed to achieve since Keir Starmer became leader: show some fight.
He said: “Show some fight UK Labour, taking Liverpool for granted because we are a guaranteed vote for you every election!”
Show some fight @UKLabour taking Liverpool for granted because we are a guaranteed vote for you every election! #LiverpoolTogether https://t.co/9Dyz7lkllW
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) March 24, 2021
Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, is expected to announce today that government commissioners will be parachuted in to run the city’s council. According to The Times, he was recently the recipient of a report on the council’s value for money with regards to the taxpayer.
The plans come in the aftermath of the December arrest of Liverpool’s mayor, Joe Anderson on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation. 13 other people were arrested.
Anderson stood down as mayor – with his successor due to be elected in May – but has denied any wrongdoing. He has not been charged by police.
Starmer’s decision to back the plans has angered large swathes of Labour’s support, with many questioning why the party’s leader would support one of its strongholds being put under government control.
“The Labour Party hasn’t received this report yet, so we can’t comment on the detail of it. There are a number of investigations ongoing so it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment further,” said a party spokesperson regarding the news.
