It has been a while since we have had a local election in Liverpool that has produced much in the way of drama or excitement, but this year always promised to be different, and it did not disappoint.
The Liberal Democrats have had a tough year, dominated by the fall-out from the Mathew Street fiasco, and Labour seriously fancied their chances of resting the city away from overall Lib Dem control.

And they succeeded - for a few minutes. Then, like a rabbit from a hat, the Lib Dems produced disaffected former Labour councillor Natalie Stewart, and control of the city was back in their hands.
It was a very close call, and it is perhaps not surprising that Council leader Warren Bradley now faces a challenge for his position from within the ranks of his party.
For those of us who observe political events in the city from a neutral perspective, the worst case scenario from this election would have been a hung council.
That would have led to rows, controversy and deals being struck to secure votes, with minority party representatives finding themselves holding a disproportionate degree of power.
Liverpool needs clear leadership, and certainly does not need endless political in-fighting to marr such an important year in terms of the city’s future well-being.
However, so slender is the Lib-Dem hold on Liverpool now that it would only take one councillor to cross the benches, or a change of control of one seat in a by-election, to throw everything back in the melting pot.
Whoever is to lead the party, and therefore the city, needs to be capable of ambassadorial skills of the highest order to help Liverpool capitalise to the maximum on its 2008 opportunity. He or she will also need the tact and patience to keep every member of the Lib Dem group happy, content, and on-message.
It is no small task.

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