Reform UK accused of misleading public and disgraceful smears in Southport campaign
The party's latest stunt involved
Hello and welcome to The Southport Lead.
On Wednesday, our edition focused on questionable promises and inflammatory allegations which formed a key part of Reform UK’s election campaigning for Southport.
In the days that followed, we’ve seen more of the same so we return to the subjects today as the party claims to have found a way to save £500,000 by tearing up a contract which doesn’t even exist and hasn’t been put out for tender.
Southport briefing
🤝 The government has formally approved the business case which will unlock the £20m needed to repair and reopen Southport Pier. The decision was confirmed this week and means major works to restore the long-closed attraction can now begin. Works will include a full replacement of decking boards and timber joists, repair and replacement of corroded steelworks, installation of new gates and CCTV, and the introduction of a robust long-term maintenance regime. HListed building consent is already in place, and the two‑stage design and build procurement process has been completed, allowing works to begin swiftly. Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “As I have said many times, we were ready to begin works the moment funding was confirmed—and now we can. This is a vital milestone in safeguarding one of our most cherished heritage assets[...] Our business case sets out not only the current construction costs but also a long-term plan for maintaining the pier. We have never given up on Southport Pier. It is a symbol of our town’s identity and heritage, and this funding secures its future for generations to come.”
🛤️ Rail fares to Southport will be slashed in a bid to encourage more visitors to attend this year’s major events. Following the success of Lightport, Merseyrail tickets will be reduced to £2 return for adults and £1 for children during the other three ‘Elegantly Eccentric’ events and the town’s other major events. These are Cristal Palace (3-4 April), Big Top Festival (2-3 May), Southport Food & Drink Festival (29-31 May), Southport Flower Show (20-23 August), Southport Airshow (29-30 August), British Musical Fireworks Championship (26-27 September) and Books Alive (24-31 October). The offer was announced by Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and is being funded by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority from funds recovered from train manufacturer Stadler. Rotheram said: “Southport is one of the jewels in our region’s cultural crown. But for too long it hasn’t had the attention, or ambition, it deserved. Thanks to devolution, and determined leadership from [Sefton Council leader] Cllr Marion Atkinson, we’re now working better across all levels of government to change that.”
🧑⚖️ A thug who knocked a man unconscious and broke his ankle has been jailed for 15 months. Jacob Hutchingson, of Nineveh Gardens, Leeds, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and wounding with intent after attacking the man during a night out in Southport town centre last April. The 30-year-old was identified after a CCTV appeal and returned to Liverpool Crown Court on Friday to face sentencing. In a Victim Personal Statement, the man who was assaulted said: “I was not confident going out by myself when I was on crutches and it took several months to try and get that confidence back. I was scared to bump into my attacker, unable to remember their face so every male that looked at me I thought it was him. I am still worried going out with my friends into Southport day and night.” Detective Constable Immy Mahmood said: “This was a nasty assault that left a man in hospital with serious injuries. It’s only right that Hutchingson is now spending time in prison when I hope he will reflect on his appalling actions during this night.”
Reform UK accused of misleading public and disgraceful smears in Southport campaign
By Jamie Lopez
Reform UK’s Southport branch has been accused of ‘misleading’ the public with its latest stunt.
The party’s local chair Larry Sweeney this week shared a video claiming to have exposed an example of profligate spending by Sefton Council through its planned demolition of Toad Hall in Ainsdale.
The historic venue by Ainsdale beach is set to be demolished and replaced at first with a temporary car park in a project for which the council has budgeted £1.5m. Sweeney said Reform had obtained a cheaper quote which would save £500,000 but the claim has been dismissed as “simply untrue”.
Council sources were left baffled by the claims, not least because Reform has not accessed the building to complete any survey. Neither has any tender process taken place, meaning there is no contract with which the quote could be compared.
Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said: “The contract for the demolition of Toad Hall hasn’t been tendered yet – the £1.5 million is an estimate based on surveys of the building and the specific requirements for this project – not the actual amount that will be spent.
“Once it goes out to tender businesses will be welcome to quote for the work and we will always look to get best value for residents.”
The party also claimed to be in “advanced negotiations” for a quote to restore Southport Pier just hours before the Government-funding for the works was formally signed off.
Meanwhile comments made by Sweeney have again come under scrutiny over unfounded allegations seemingly aimed at councillors.
