It’s fair to say that interesting times lie ahead for Liverpool Council.
Ned Mannoun may have once again proved the critics wrong by handsomely winning the popular vote for mayor of Liverpool.
Unfortunately for him, and indeed everyone who was elected to Liverpool Council at the September 14 local government poll, they will have the threat of the sack hanging over them in the next few weeks and months.
The public inquiry is still going ahead and if it concurs with the office of local government investigation, the minister will have no option than to appoint administrators to run the council.
Mannoun will no doubt resort to more legal action to stop or stall a sacking – the third of a Liverpool Council in less than 50 years.
But he would be aware that his days could be numbered, which probably explains his humility upon winning the mayoral vote for a third time (2012, 2021 and 2024).
“I am honoured and humbled by the overwhelming show of community support and pledge myself to serve all the residents of Liverpool City,” he said in a media release.
“I congratulate all the councillors who have also been elected and thank the unsuccessful candidates for their desire to contribute to our wonderful city.
“I look forward to working harmoniously and productively with the new council to achieve the best possible outcomes for the city, its residents and those who do business here.”
The poll was formally declared last Saturday with the Liberal Party having four candidates elected (as well as Mannoun): Fiona Macnaught, Emmanuel Adjei, Richard Ammoun and Matthew Harte.
The Labor Party will also have four councillors on the floor of the 11 seat chamber: leader Betty Green, along with Ethan Monaghan, veteran Sam Karnib and Mira Ibrahim.
There will also be two independents: Peter Harle (Liverpool Community Independents Team), who has been on council since 2008, and Peter Ristevski (Our Local Community).
Cr Ristevski served as a Liberal councillor until 2016 but returns as an independent – and fierce foe of the mayor.
Thinking about it, “interesting times’’ may turn out to be an understatement.
Should that read “I am honoured and humbled by the UNDERWHELMING show of community support and pledge myself to serve all the residents of Liverpool City,” seeing 60 % of ratepayers voted against him???