Liverpool’s new Lord Mayor is set to make history for over 800 years.
William Shortall will officially be sworn in on Wednesday evening (May 13) at the city’s Town Hall, taking over from the existing Lord Mayor Barbara Murray.
The homegrown Labour councillor was first elected to the Old Swan ward in 2019 and Old Swan West in 2023, winning 67% of the vote in the latter local elections.
Cllr Shortall also suffers from muscular dystrophy and will therefore be the first wheelchair user to serve as Lord Mayor of Liverpool in its 816-year history.
He has been a champion for disabled people and disadvantaged groups through a variety of roles including as chair of the city council’s corporate access forum.
Shortall has named the Greenbank Project as his chosen charity while his wife Marie will be Lady Mayoress and his two daughters will share the role of consort.
He said: “It is an extraordinary honour to be invited to serve as Lord Mayor of Liverpool.
“As the first wheelchair user to hold this office in our city’s 816‐year history, I am deeply proud to represent a community that values inclusion, resilience and opportunity for all.
“My family, friends and colleagues are thrilled that I have been entrusted with the role of first citizen of this remarkable city.
“They expect me to embody Liverpool’s highest values and to extend our traditional warm welcome to everyone who calls this place home, the world in one city or comes to share in its spirit.”