THE former deputy leader of St Helens Council has been deselected by Labour ahead of next year’s local elections.

It is understood a decision was taken earlier this month by the Parr branch of the Labour Party to not reselect Cllr Andy Bowden to stand in the ward in the May 2020 local elections.

Instead, Cllr Bowden was shortlisted alongside Simon Neal, husband of Windle councillor Gill Neal, and current Town Centre ward councillor Lynn Clarke.

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It is understood Cllr Clarke, who is the cabinet member for environmental services, declined the invitation out of support for Cllr Bowden and because she is a sitting councillor in the Town Centre ward.

After being interviewed at Monday evening’s selection meeting, which was chaired by Cllr Neal, branch members voted on their preferred candidate.

Mr Neal was subsequently selected as the Labour candidate to represent Parr in May.

Following the decision, Cllr Bowden said: “After 10 years serving as a Labour councillor in Parr, I am naturally disappointed to see that the local party has decided to deselect me as their candidate.”

Cllr Bowden, who will continue to serve as ward councillor for Parr until next May, stepped down as the cabinet member for balanced development, housing and economic opportunity, and deputy leader of the council in January. 

Prior to this, Cllr Bowden served as the portfolio holder for children, families and young people between August 2015 and May 2017.

He served as deputy leader of the council for part of that time and served as mayor of St Helens between May 2013 and June 2014.

Cllr Bowden twice mounted leadership challenges during his time of the council.

St Helens Star: Cllr Andy Bowden was sacked by the then council leade Barrie Grunewald (pictured) in 2017 after leading a failed coupCllr Andy Bowden was sacked by the then council leade Barrie Grunewald (pictured) in 2017 after leading a failed coup

He led a failed coup against the then-leader, Barrie Grunewald at Labour’s AGM in 2017 and was subsequently sacked along with half of the cabinet.

Twelve months later, he challenged interim leader Derek Long, who took the helm following Cllr Grunewald’s shock resignation in April 2018, at the AGM only to lose out again.

While his leadership challenge was unsuccessful, Cllr Bowden re-entered the cabinet as the portfolio holder for balanced development, housing and economic opportunity as well as deputy leader of the council.

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Cllr Bowden stepped down from cabinet in January, citing “personal reasons”.

Following Monday night’s Labour selection meeting, Parr Labour announced the new candidate on Twitter.

Parr Labour said Mr Neal has promised to be a “strong voice” for the people of Parr.