Joe Anderson is aiming to become Liverpool’s newest Member of Parliament.
The city’s Mayor announced his plans to stand as the Labour candidate in Walton if current incumbent Steve Rotheram is appointed as the region’s Metro Mayor.
Rotheram has served as Walton’s MP since 2010 but won the party’s nomination for the role, which will be decided in May.
He is expected to give up the seat as the favourite to become the new leader of the Liverpool City Region.
Should that happen, Anderson would be available for selection from Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC)
The 59-year-old was appointed leader of Liverpool’s Labour party in 2010 prior to them taking majority control of the City Council from the Liberal Democrats.
In 2012 he was elected the city’s Mayor and has held the position ever since.
His planned candidacy in the Walton constituency comes just days after the Prime Minister called a snap General Election to take place on June 8 this year.
“This decision has not been made lightly,” Anderson said in a statement.
“I have thought long and hard about it but I feel, with the Government calling a snap General Election, this is the right time for me to provide the best representation for the people of Liverpool and Walton.
“It is fair to say that over the years I have been criticised for my direct way of doing things, my no nonsense attitude may not have been to everyone’s taste.
“But I strongly believe that we must always stand up to bullies, and it will be clear to everyone in Liverpool Walton that this Government is intent on bullying our city.
“Every day I have fought for Liverpool against the cuts and against those in the Westminster bubble who want to pull us down and hold us back.
“With almost 20 years of local government experience, and seven years as leader then Mayor of Liverpool, I have continuously battled and fought for us to be treated fairly, but it is almost impossible to do when they simply refuse to listen.
“Vulnerable people in Walton depend on the services of our council, as do millions of others across the country, and I want the opportunity to go to Parliament, tell their story and look government ministers in the eye as I explain how important local government is to them.
“With your support, I have steered Liverpool through seven years of painful austerity, but I am proud to call our council a socialist council.
“Despite their bludgeoning cuts we haven’t closed a single library or children’s centre. We have protected the most vulnerable in our communities.
“We have built 15 new and improved schools across the city.
“I am proud of our achievements, and the city is in a good place, with a growing and vibrant economy.
“If I am selected by the NEC, we have a strong group of Labour councillors who will continue to do an incredible job and I fully trust that, if I’m chosen, they will continue to move this city forward.
“I would hope that the people of Liverpool can understand how I have come to this decision and that party members both nationally and locally will understand that my heart’s desire is to fight for the people of Liverpool and Labour’s vision for running the country.
“This General Election, as a chance to stand up in Parliament for Walton and Liverpool, is an opportunity I must take.”