Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council elections are held every four years from 2023 onwards, having previously been held three years out of every four for a third of the council at a time. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, generally known as Wirral Council, is the local authority for the metropolitan borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England.[1] 
  Summary of results
 Only four parties have won seats to Council: Conservative, Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat (and its predecessors). All other political representation has come via changes in affiliation. 
    | Year | Con | Green | Lab | Lib Dem | Other | Ref | 
  |  |  |  |  | 
  | 1973 | 29 | 0 | 24 | 13 | 0 | [2] | 
  | 1974 | 29 | 0 | 24 | 13 | 0 | 
  | 1975 | 36 | 0 | 21 | 9 | 0 | 
  | 37 | 0 | 21 | 8 | 0 | 
  | 1976 | 42 | 0 | 18 | 6 | 0 | 
  | 1977 | 42 | 0 | 18 | 6 | 0 | 
  | 1978 | 45 | 0 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 
  | 1979 | 40 | 0 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 
  | 1980 | 37 | 0 | 23 | 6 | 0 | 
  | 1981 | 37 | 0 | 23 | 6 | 0 | 
  | 1982 | 35 | 0 | 25 | 6 | 0 | 
  | 1983 | 34 | 0 | 24 | 8 | 0 | 
  | 1984 | 34 | 0 | 24 | 8 | 0 | 
  | 1985 | 34 | 0 | 24 | 8 | 0 | 
  | 1986 | 30 | 0 | 26 | 10 | 0 | 
  | 1987 | 29 | 0 | 27 | 10 | 0 | 
  | 1988 | 24 | 0 | 32 | 10 | 0 | 
  | 24 | 0 | 29 | 10 | 3 | 
  | 1989 | 24 | 0 | 29 | 10 | 3 | 
  | 1990 | 23 | 0 | 33 | 7 | 3 | 
  | 23 | 0 | 33 | 8 | 2 | 
  | 1991 | 24 | 0 | 34 | 7 | 1 | 
  | 1992 | 29 | 0 | 31 | 6 | 0 | 
  | 1993 | 29 | 0 | 31 | 6 | 0 | 
  | 1994 | 30 | 0 | 30 | 6 | 0 | 
  | 28 | 0 | 30 | 8 | 0 | 
  | 1995 | 22 | 0 | 36 | 8 | 0 | 
  | 1996 | 16 | 0 | 41 | 9 | 0 | 
  | 1997 | 16 | 0 | 41 | 9 | 0 | 
  | 1998 | 16 | 0 | 41 | 8 | 1 | 
  | 16 | 0 | 42 | 8 | 0 | [3] | 
  | 1999 | 17 | 0 | 39 | 10 | 0 | [2] | 
  | 2000 | 20 | 0 | 34 | 12 | 0 | 
  | 2001 | 20 | 0 | 34 | 12 | 0 | 
  | 20 | 0 | 33 | 12 | 1 | [4] | 
  | 2002 | 20 | 0 | 32 | 12 | 2 | 
  | 20 | 0 | 31 | 14 | 1 | [5] | 
  | 2003 | 23 | 0 | 26 | 16 | 1 | [6] | 
  | 2004 | 21 | 0 | 26 | 19 | 0 | [7] | 
  | 20 | 0 | 26 | 19 | 1 | [8] | 
  | 2005 | 21 | 0 | 26 | 18 | 1 | [9] | 
  | 2006 | 21 | 0 | 26 | 19 | 0 | [10] | 
  | 2007 | 21 | 0 | 25 | 20 | 0 | [11] | 
  | 21 | 0 | 25 | 19 | 1 | [12] | 
  | 20 | 0 | 25 | 19 | 2 | [13] | 
  | 2008 | 24 | 0 | 21 | 20 | 1 | [14] | 
  | 2009 | 25 | 0 | 20 | 20 | 1 | [15] | 
  | 2010 | 27 | 0 | 24 | 15 | 0 | [16] | 
  | 2011 | 27 | 0 | 29 | 10 | 0 | [17] | 
  | 27 | 0 | 30 | 9 | 0 | [18] | 
  | 2012 | 22 | 0 | 37 | 7 | 0 | [19] | 
  | 2013 | 23 | 0 | 36 | 7 | 0 | [20] | 
  | 22 | 0 | 37 | 7 | 0 | [21] | 
  | 22 | 0 | 37 | 6 | 1 | [22] | 
  | 2014 | 21 | 1 | 38 | 6 | 0 | [23] | 
  | 2015 | 21 | 1 | 39 | 5 | 0 | [24] | 
  | 2016 | 21 | 1 | 38 | 5 | 1 | [25] | 
  | 21 | 1 | 39 | 5 | 0 | [26] | 
  | 2017 | 21 | 1 | 39 | 5 | 0 | 
  | 2018 | 21 | 1 | 39 | 5 | 0 | [27] | 
  | 21 | 1 | 38 | 5 | 1 | [28] | 
  | 21 | 1 | 37 | 5 | 2 | [29] | 
  | 2019 | 21 | 1 | 36 | 5 | 3 | [30] | 
  | 21 | 1 | 35 | 5 | 4 | [31] | 
  | 21 | 1 | 34 | 5 | 5 | [32] | 
  | 22 | 3 | 32 | 6 | 3 | [33] | 
  | 2020 | 22 | 2 | 32 | 6 | 4 | [34] | 
  | 2021 | 23 | 5 | 30 | 6 | 2 | [35] | 
  | 23 | 5 | 29 | 6 | 3 | [36] | 
  | 2022 | 23 | 5 | 28 | 6 | 4 | [37] | 
  | 23 | 6 | 28 | 6 | 3 | [38] | 
  | 24 | 9 | 26 | 6 | 1 | [39] | 
  | 2023 | 23 | 9 | 26 | 6 | 2 | [40] | 
  | 23 | 9 | 25 | 6 | 3 | [41] | 
  | 23 | 9 | 24 | 6 | 4 | [42] | 
  | 23 | 9 | 23 | 6 | 5 | [43] | 
  | 17 | 13 | 30 | 6 | 0 | [44] | 
  | 2024 | 17 | 14 | 29 | 6 | 0 | [45] | 
  | 2025 | 14 | 14 | 29 | 6 | 3 | [46] | 
 Council elections
 Since the first election in 1973, boundary changes have occurred in 1980 (where a third of the council were up for election) and in 2004 (where there was an all out election).[47][1][48] Following changes in 2023, Wirral moved from a thirds system of election to an all-out system, with all councillors elected every four years.[49] 
  Borough result maps
  		-  			 			1973 results map 
-  			 			1975 results map 
-  			 			1976 results map 
-  			 			1978 results map 
-  			 			1979 results map 
-  			 			1980 results map 
-  			 			1982 results map 
-  			 			1983 results map 
-  			 			1984 results map 
-  			 			1986 results map 
-  			 			1987 results map 
-  			 			1988 results map 
-  			 			1990 results map 
-  			 			1991 results map 
-  			 			1992 results map 
-  			 			1994 results map 
-  			 			1995 results map 
-  			 			1996 results map 
-  			 			1998 results map 
-  			 			1999 results map 
-  			 			2000 results map 
-  			 			2002 results map 
-  			 			2003 results map 
-  			 			2004 results map 
-  			 			2006 results map 
-  			 			2007 results map 
-  			 			2008 results map 
-  			 			2010 results map 
-  			 			2011 results map 
-  			 			2012 results map 
-  			 			2014 results map 
-  			 			2015 results map 
-  			 			2016 results map 
-  			 			2018 results map 
-  			 			2019 results map 
-  			 			2021 results map 
-  			 			2022 results map 
-  			 			2023 results map 
Changes between election
 1973–1979 boundaries
  1979–2004 boundaries
  Wallasey by-election 1997
  [50][51][52] 
 Prenton by-election 2003
  [53] 
 2004–present boundaries
 Moreton West and Saughall Massie by-election 2009
  [54][55] 
 Leasowe and Moreton East by-election 2013
  [56][57] 
 Heswall by-election 2013
  [58][59] 
 Pensby and Thingwall by-election 2013
  [60][61][62] 
 Upton by-election 2013
  [63][64] 
 Claughton by-election 2017
  [65][66] 
 Bromborough by-election 2018
  [67][68] 
 Upton by-election 2018
  [69][70] 
 Liscard by-election 2021
  [71] 
 Oxton by-election 2021
  [73] 
 Liscard by-election 2022
  [74] 
 Liscard by-election 2024
  Changes in affiliation
   Notes
  References
   - ^ a b "The Borough of Wirral (Electoral Changes) Order 2003", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2003/1980, retrieved 29 August 2022 
- ^ a b "Council compositions". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 27 July 2018. 
- ^ "Lib Dem councillor switches sides". Wirral Globe. 17 June 1998. Retrieved 26 December 2018. 
- ^ a b c "Second councillor quits". Wirral Globe. 12 February 2002. Retrieved 26 December 2018. 
- ^ "Local Election - 02 May 2002". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018. 
- ^ "Local Election - 01 May 2003". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018. 
- ^ "Local Election - 10 June 2004". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018. 
- ^ "'No respect for mayor'". Wirral Globe. 
- ^ "Why I jumped ship to join the Tories". Wirral Globe. 
- ^ "Local Election - 4 May 2006". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018. 
- ^ "Local Election - 03 May 2007". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018. 
- ^ "Councillors also have a 'third duty'". 
- ^ "Another one bites the dust". Wirral Globe. 
- ^ "Election Result for 1 May 2008 2002". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018. 
- ^ "BREAKING NEWS: Labour councillor Denis Knowles quits and joins Tories at Wallasey Town Hall". Wirral Globe. 
- ^ "Election Result for 6 May 2010". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018. 
- ^ "Election Result for 5 May 2011". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018. 
- ^ "Wirral Lib Dem Steve Niblock defects to Labour Party". BBC News. 
- ^ "Election Result for 3 May 2012". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018. 
- ^ "Conservative victory in Wirral by-elections". Wirral Globe. 
- ^ "UPDATED: Labour victory in Wirral Council by-election". Wirral Globe. 
- ^ "Wirral councillor Mark Johnson quits Liberal Democrat Party". Liverpool Echo. 
- ^ "Election Result for 22 May 2014". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018. 
- ^ "Election Result for 7 May 2015". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018. 
- ^ "Seven things to talk about after the Wirral local elections". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 27 July 2018. 
- ^ "Election results by party, Local election - Thursday, 5th May 2016". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 5 May 2016. 
- ^ "Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council Election 2018 Results". BBC News. 
- ^ "Wirral councillor quits party blaming hard left 'parasites'". Labour Uncut. Retrieved 29 August 2018. 
- ^ "Senior Labour politician quits party after 40 years citing 'absolute aggression' of 'hard-left clique'". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 25 October 2018. 
- ^ Houghton, Tom (12 February 2019). "Yet ANOTHER top Labour politician quits party - blaming 'hard-left' takeover". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 12 February 2019. 
- ^ Houghton, Tom (18 March 2019). "Labour Councillor of more than 30 years latest to quit party and slam 'hard-left' takeover". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 18 March 2019. 
- ^ Houghton, Tom (10 April 2019). "Wirral politician booted out of Labour after campaigning for rival party". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 10 April 2019. 
- ^ "Composition of Wirral Council following the local elections on Thursday 2 May 2019". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 3 May 2019. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019. 
- ^ "Councillors". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020. 
- ^ "Councillors". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021. 
- ^ "Councillors". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021. 
- ^ "Councillors". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022. 
- ^ "Former Labour Councillor Jo Bird Joins Green Party". Wirral Green Party. 22 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022. 
- ^ "Councillors". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Archived from the original on 6 May 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022. 
- ^ "Your Councillors". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023. 
- ^ Barnes, Edward (5 April 2023). "Local elections 2023: All the candidates you can vote for in Wirral". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 6 April 2023. 
- ^ "Your Councillors". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023. 
- ^ "Your Councillors". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023. 
- ^ "Local election - Thursday, 4th May 2023". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023. 
- ^ Barnes, Edward (3 January 2024). "Labour councillor defects to Greens in Shock Move". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 10 May 2025. 
- ^ Barnes, Ed (9 May 2024). "Three Wirral Tories break away from local party to sit as independents". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 10 May 2024. 
- ^ The Borough of Wirral (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1979 SI 1979/1523 
- ^ "Metropolitan Borough of Wirral Election Results 1973-2012" (PDF). The Elections Centre. Retrieved 24 November 2018. 
- ^ Morgan, George (21 March 2022). "Five things we learnt from crucial Wirral Council meeting". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 10 September 2024. 
- ^ "Kate calls Labour foul on soccer". Wirral Globe. 26 March 1997. Retrieved 27 November 2009. 
- ^ "Councillor Lesley Rennie". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 
- ^ "Councillor Anne McArdle". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 
- ^ "Local Election - 05 February 2003 Prenton ward". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 26 December 2018. 
- ^ "Conservatives win Moreton by-election". Wirral Globe. 27 November 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2009. 
- ^ "Councillor Steve Williams". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 
- ^ "Election Result for Leasowe and Moreton East ward on 17 January 2013". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. January 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013. 
- ^ "Councillor Ian Lewis". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 
- ^ "Election Result for Heswall ward on 17 January 2013". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. January 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013. 
- ^ "Councillor Kathy Hodson". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 
- ^ "Election Result for Pensby and Thingwall ward on 28 February 2013". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013. 
- ^ "Councillor Phillip Brightmore". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 
- ^ "Councillor Sheila Clarke MBE". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 
- ^ "Election Result for Upton ward on 24 October 2013". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 
- ^ "Councillor Matthew Patrick". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 
- ^ "Election results for Claughton". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 
- ^ "Councillor Gillian Wood". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 
- ^ "Election results for Bromborough Local by-election - Thursday, 23rd August 2018". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 23 August 2018. 
- ^ "Councillor Jo Bird". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 20 September 2018. 
- ^ "Election results for Upton Local by-election - Thursday, 22nd November 2018". Wirral Council. Retrieved 22 November 2018. 
- ^ "Councillor Jean Robinson". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 3 January 2019. 
- ^ "Election results for Liscard". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021. 
- ^ Oxton Labour Party (28 October 2021). "Oxton Labour Party's post". Facebook. Retrieved 28 October 2021. 
- ^ "Election results for Oxton". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021. 
- ^ "Election results for Liscard Local by-election - Thursday, 14th July 2022". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2023. 
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Liscard Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 21 November 2024. 
- ^ "Metropolitan Borough of Wirral Election Results 1973-2012" (PDF). The Elections Centre. Retrieved 28 December 2018. 
- ^ a b c Harrison, Anne (4 May 1990). "Trouble ahead as voters split Wirral down middle". Liverpool Echo. 
- ^ Walker, Chris (30 April 1991). "Battle Stations to woo Mersey voters". Liverpool Echo. 
- ^ a b "Lib Dem councillor switches sides". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 26 December 2018. 
- ^ "Local Election - 10 June 2004". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 10 June 2004. Retrieved 28 December 2018. 
- ^ "No respect for mayor". Wirral Globe. 17 November 2004. Retrieved 28 December 2018. 
- ^ "Why I jumped ship to join the Tories". Wirral Globe. 13 April 2005. Retrieved 28 December 2018. 
- ^ "Local election - 04 May 2006". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. 4 May 2006. Retrieved 28 December 2018. 
- ^ Copestake, Eric (19 June 2007). "Councillors also have a 'third duty'". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 28 December 2018. 
- ^ Dunn, Justin (4 July 2007). "Another one bites the dust". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 28 December 2018. 
- ^ Dunn, Justin; Manning, Craig (18 May 2009). "BREAKING NEWS: Labour councillor Denis Knowles quits and joins Tories at Wallasey Town Hall". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 28 December 2018. 
- ^ "Wirral Lib Dem Steve Niblock defects to Labour Party". BBC News. 16 May 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2018. 
- ^ Murphy, Liam (30 April 2013). "Wirral councillor Mark Johnson quits Liberal Democrat Party". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 28 December 2018. 
- ^ "Battle lines drawn for Wirral's council elections on May 5". Wirral Globe. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2018. 
- ^ "Wirral councillor quits party blaming hard left 'parasites'". Labour Uncut. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018. 
- ^ Houghton, Tom (25 October 2018). "Senior Labour politician quits party after 40 years citing 'absolute aggression' of 'hard-left clique'". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 28 December 2018. 
- ^ Houghton, Tom (12 February 2019). "Yet ANOTHER top Labour politician quits party - blaming 'hard-left' takeover". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 12 February 2019. 
- ^ Houghton, Tom (4 March 2019). "Labour councillor suspended after 'Jew process' joke". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 4 March 2019. 
- ^ Houghton, Tom (15 March 2019). "Labour councillor who made 'Jew process' joke has suspension lifted". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 15 March 2019. 
- ^ Houghton, Tom (18 March 2019). "Labour Councillor of more than 30 years latest to quit party and slam 'hard-left' takeover". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 18 March 2019. 
- ^ Houghton, Tom (10 April 2019). "Wirral politician booted out of Labour after campaigning for rival party". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 10 April 2019. 
- ^ Thorp, Liam (17 July 2019). "Tory Councillor suspended after comparing black MP David Lammy to the Ku Klux Klan". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 17 July 2019. 
- ^ Tom, Rayner (7 February 2020). "Labour suspends two candidates in governing body election". Sky News. Retrieved 9 February 2020. 
- ^ Morgan, George (18 February 2020). "Wirral councillor reinstated after second Labour suspension". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 10 August 2022. 
- ^ Morgan, George (24 August 2020). "Wirral councillor suddenly quits Greens for Independent group". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 21 December 2020. 
- ^ Morgan, George (21 July 2020). "Councillor who made racist comment about black MP could return to Tory group". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 21 December 2020. 
- ^ Lally, Kate (15 December 2020). "Wirral's Tory group leader Ian Lewis steps down from role". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 15 December 2020. 
- ^ Morgan, George (19 November 2020). "Wirral Tory councillor suspended for retweet on 'Islamism'". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 21 December 2020. 
- ^ Morgan, George (9 December 2020). "Labour councillor who chaired Birkenhead meeting suspended". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 21 December 2020. 
- ^ Morgan, George (11 February 2021). "Wirral councillor Tony Norbury allowed back in Labour Party". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 13 February 2021. 
- ^ "Councillor Tony Cox". Wirral West and Wirral South Conservatives. Archived from the original on 27 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021. 
- ^ BBC News (22 November 2021). "Wirral councillor Jo Bird expelled by Labour party over banned group". BBC News. Retrieved 22 November 2021. 
- ^ Morgan, George (1 April 2022). "Wirral Labour's chief whip resigns after being 'disciplined' by party". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2 April 2022. 
- ^ Birkenhead News (22 March 2022). "Former Labour Councillor Jo Bird joins Green Party". Birkenhead News. Retrieved 22 March 2022. 
- ^ Barnes, Ed (1 April 2023). "Wirral councillor claims 'dark forces' behind his deselection". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 4 April 2023. 
- ^ Satoor, Paul (24 March 2023). "Notice of Election - Local Elections 2023". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023. 
- ^ Barnes, Edward (6 April 2023). "Labour councillor said she'll 'fight' for area as she takes on her own party". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 2 May 2023. 
- ^ Barnes, Edward (13 April 2023). "NHS worker makes 'bullying' claim as she stands down as councillor". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 2 May 2023. 
- ^ "Your Councillors". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023. 
- ^ "Your Councillors". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023. 
- ^ Barnes, Edward (3 January 2024). "Labour councillor defects to Greens in Shock Move". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 10 May 2025. 
- ^ Barnes, Ed (9 May 2024). "Three Wirral Tories break away from local party to sit as independents". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 10 May 2024. 
   External links