Runcorn and Helsby debate: Five things we learned

With the Runcorn and Helsby by-election around the corner, the candidates from the five biggest parties in the constituency at the last election were invited to take part in a live debate on BBC Radio Merseyside, with contributions from other candidates played out during the programme.

But what did we learn from those who took part?

Runcorn Shopping City came up - with one listener describing it looking like something from 28 Days Later.

Liberal Democrat Paul Duffy said he thought there was a national issue with town centres. He said there should be higher taxes on global corporations.

"Yes, everybody uses Amazon, but when you use Amazon you're not using a town centre, so we need to give them a fair playing field to get people back in to town centres.

Green Party candidate Chris Copeman said he would like to see living/working spaces considered - although when asked if he would live in Runcorn Shopping City he said it would "need quite a lot of work to make it good".

Conservative Sean Houlston said there needed to be a vision for the area and that he would use his business skills to attract investment, Sarah Pochin of Reform UK said she would want to put money into people's pockets so they could spend in town centres.

Labour's Karen Shore said that Shopping City, which is in private ownership, "has had its day" but she said there needed to be someone to talk to the owners, "bring heads together and bring in investment".

The ever controversial tolls on the two bridges in the constituency - the Mersey Gateway and the Silver Jubilee - were brought up by listeners.

Currently, residents living in the part of the constituency covered by Halton Borough Council - that includes Runcorn - get unlimited free trips across the bridge after paying an annual admin fee. But those who live in other areas which fall into Cheshire West and Chester Council's area are not eligible for this.

Green candidate Chris Copeman said he wouldn't want the tolls scrapped - instead he said he'd want more investment in public transport, although he also said there were circumstances for businesses where he would like a special rate.

Reform's Sarah Pochin said she would campaign for the tolls to be scrapped, and Conservative Sean Houlston said he wasn't in favour of any further increases.

Paul Duffy of the Liberal Democrats said he would want all parts of the constituency to be involved in the local discount scheme which is currently only for residents of Halton, while Labour's Karen Shore said she was a "pragmatist" and would put a case to the Labour Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram for the middle ground.

One listener asked what was the first thing that the candidates would do to improve the lives of their constituents if elected.

Labour's Karen Shore said her priority was investing in public services.

Sarah Pochin of Reform UK said her priority would be to tackle illegal immigration.

Meanwhile, Paul Duffy said as a Liberal Democrat he would be a voice of influence on the current government, and added that the Labour government had listened to some of the ideas of the party.

Conservative Sean Houlston said he would bring together a local team of residents and people who wanted change and "get them talking and I'd listen to what they want to do", and also "spread the message" on investment opportunities.

Chris Copeman of the Green Party said he would push for regeneration in the area, highlighting that he would like to see more social and affordable housing projects.

One listener spoke about claims during the campaign about the number and nature HMOs (houses of multiple occupation) which he said was "not the reflection of the experience of many local residents", and asked how the candidates would ensure their actions and campaigns were "based on facts rather than fear?'

Conservative Sean Houlston said he had a "positive message" about Runcorn and Helsby.

"When people raise concerns, we get to the bottom of facts and we address them."

Meanwhile Sarah Pochin of Reform UK said she had been speaking about concerns over HMOs after hearing from local residents and being shown CCTV of issues including drug dealing, and said she believed some of the people were illegal immigrants.

She was asked if she had called the police to report these issues, and she said that some of those who had gone to her did not want to be identified.

Paul Duffy of the Liberal Democrats criticised her for not calling the police and said residents had been in touch about HMOs asking for people to "stop trashing our area".

Labour's Karen Shore said she agreed with Paul Duffy and that she felt it "wasn't a true reflection of the area".

Meanwhile, Green Party candidate Chris Copeman said he believed the issue was a "distraction" and that the "politics of fear" was emerging.

As this is the first by-election since Labour won the general election, it is being seen by some as the first mayor electoral test for Sir Keir Starmer. But Conservative Sean Houlston said this election was about "who is going to be the next strong, local MP".

"It's not a general election, it's not an opinion poll," he said.

And he added that he did not want the area to be "a headline for a day and forgotten about for years to come".

Other candidates also said throughout that they would want to be a strong voice if elected to stand up for the area nationally. Local links were highlighted as well as candidates' passion for the area throughout the hour-long debate.

The Runcorn and Helsby by-election takes place on 1 May and you can see minute manifestos from the candidates here.

A total of 15 candidates are standing in the by-election

Listed alphabetically, they are as follows:

Catherine Anne Blaiklock (English Democrats)

Dan Clarke (Liberal Party)

Chris Copeman (Green Party)

Paul Duffy (Liberal Democrats)

Peter Ford (Workers Party)

Howling Laud Hope (Monster Raving Loony Party)

Sean Houlston (Conservatives)

Jason Philip Hughes (Volt UK)

Alan McKie (independent)

Graham Harry Moore (English Constitution Party)

Paul Andrew Murphy (Social Democratic Party)

Sarah Pochin (Reform)

Karen Shore (Labour)

John Stevens (Rejoin EU)

Michael Williams (independent)

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