# Smithdown (Liverpool ward)

Smithdown ward is an electoral district of Liverpool City Council within the Liverpool Riverside and Liverpool Wavertree constituencies.

## History

The ward was created in 1953 within the Liverpool Edge Hill constituency. The boundaries were altered in 1973 and 1980. The ward was dissolved in 2004 reinstated in 2023.

### 1980 Boundaries

A report of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England published in November 1978 set out proposals for changes to the wards of Liverpool City Council, maintaining the number of councillors at 99 representing 33 wards. Smithdown ward was represented by three councillors.
The report describes the boundaries as "Commencing at a point where Upper Parliament Street meets the eastern boundary of Abercromby Ward, thence generally northwestwards along- said boundary to the southeastern boundary of Everton Ward, thence northwards and generally northeastwards along said boundary to the western boundary of Kensington Ward, thence southwards, eastwards and southeastwards along said boundary to Wavertree Road, thence northwestwards along said road to Tunnel Road, thence southwards along said road to Spekeland Road, thence northeastwards along said road to Acton Street, thence southwards along said street to Lindley Street, thence southwestwards along said street to Earle Road, thence southeastwards along said road to Tunstall Street, thence southwestwards along said street to Smithdown Road, thence northwestwards along said road and Smithdown Lane to Upper Parliament Street, thence generally westwards along said street to the point of commencement".

### 2004 boundaries

A report of the Local Government Boundary Commission published in March 2003 recommended the number of wards in the city be reduced to 30 and the number of councillors reduced to 90. The Smithdown ward was dissolved and distributed into the new Picton, Kensington and Fairfield, and Central wards.

### 2023 boundaries

A 2022 review by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England decided that the existing 30 wards each represented by three Councillors should be replaced by 64 wards represented by 85 councillors with varying representation by one, two or three councillors per ward. The Smithdown ward was re-established as a smaller ward from a section of the previous Greenbank and Picton wards. The new ward is roughly bounded by the West Coast Main Line, Cranborne Road and Smithdown Road. The ward is represented by two councillors.

## Councillors

| Election | Councillor | Councillor | Councillor |
| 1980 | Ernest Stephenson (Lib) | Joseph Clitherow (Lib) | Anne Clitherow (Lib) |
| 1982 | Alex Gamble (Lab) | Joseph Clitherow (Lib) | Anne Clitherow (Lib) |
| 1983 | Alex Gamble (Lab) | Steve Jenkins (Lab) | Anne Clitherow (Lib) |
| 1984 | Alex Gamble (Lab) | Steve Jenkins (Lab) | Dorothy Matthews (Lab) |
| 1986 | Alex Gamble (Lab) | Steve Jenkins (Lab) | Dorothy Matthews (Lab) |
| 1987 | Juliet Herzog (Lab) | I Templeman (Lab) | Judith Nelson (Lab) |
| 1988 | Juliet Herzog (Lab) | I Templeman (Lab) | D Bermingham (Lab) |
| 1990 | Juliet Herzog (Lab) | I Templeman (Lab) | D Bermingham (Lab) |
| 1991 | Juliet Herzog (Lab) | M. Clarke (Lab) | D Bermingham (Lab) |
| 1992 | Juliet Herzog (Lab) | M. Clarke (Lab) | W. Barrow (LD) |
| 1994 | Nev Bann (Lab) | M. Clarke (Lab) | W. Barrow (LD) |
| 1995 | Nev Bann (Lab) | M. Clarke (Lab) | W. Barrow (LD) |
| 1996 | Nev Bann (Lab) | M. Clarke (Lab) | Richie White (Lab) |
| 1998 | Gary Airey (LD) | M. Clarke (Lab) | Richie White (Lab) |
| 1999 | Gary Airey (LD) | Andrew Makinson (LD) | Richie White (Lab) |
| 2000 | Gary Airey (LD) | Andrew Makinson (LD) | Juli Sames (LD) |
| 2002 | Richie White (Lab) | Andrew Makinson (LD) | Juli Sames (LD) |
| 2003 | Richie White (Lab) | Andrew Makinson (LD) | Juli Sames (LD) |
| 2004 - 2022 WARD DISESTABLISHED |||||||
| 2023 | James Roberts (Lab) | Jon Morris (Lab) |
indicates seat up for re-election after boundary changes.
indicates seat up for re-election.
indicates change in affiliation.
indicates seat up for re-election after casual vacancy.

## Election Results
### Elections of the 2020s

4th May 2023 - 2 seats :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | James Roberts | 1,211 | 37.38 | |
| | Labour | Jon Morris | 1,020 | 31.48 | |
| | Green | Thomas Watts | 414 | 12.78 | |
| | Independent | Dave Cummings | 399 | 12.31 | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Angela Hulme | 144 | 4.44 | |
| | Conservative | Harry Gallimore-King | 52 | 1.60 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 797 | 22.13 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | | |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 10 | | |
| Total ballots | Total ballots | Total ballots | | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,124 | | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |

#### Notes

    a.^ James Roberts was a re-standing councillor representing Greenbank ward.
    b.^ Dave Cummings was a re-standing councillor representing the Wavertree ward. He was affiliated with the Liberate Liverpool movement.

### Elections of the 2000s

1st May 2003 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andrew Makinson | 893 | 57.65 | 21.60 |
| | Labour | Richard Keenan | 495 | 321.96 | 17.63 |
| | Green | Simon Holgate | 89 | 5.75 | 3.79 |
| | Liberal | John Moore | 40 | 2.58 | 0.14 |
| | Conservative | Grahame Harden | 32 | 2.07 | 0.81 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 398 | 25.69 | 12.17 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,549 | 18.5 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | 19.61 | |
2nd May 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Richard White | 711 | 49.58 | 11.17 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Gary Airey | 517 | 36.05 | 18.76 |
| | Independent | Michael Lane | 125 | 8.72 | |
| | Liberal | John Moore | 35 | 2.44 | 2.18 |
| | Green | Simon Holgate | 28 | 1.95 | 0.21 |
| | Conservative | Kenneth Watkin | 18 | 1.26 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 194 | 13.53 | 2.88 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,434 | | |
| | Labour gain from Liberal Democrats | Labour gain from Liberal Democrats | Swing | 14.97 | |
4th May 2000 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Juli Sames | 558 | 54.81 | 3.15 |
| | Labour | Richie White | 391 | 38.41 | 1.42 |
| | Liberal | M. A. Williams | 47 | 4.62 | 0.80 |
| | Conservative | K. G. Watkin | 22 | 2.16 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 167 | 16.40 | 4.57 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,018 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Labour | Liberal Democrats gain from Labour | Swing | 2.29 | |

### Elections of the 1990s

6th May 1999 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andrew Makinson | 668 | 51.66 | 0.69 |
| | Labour | R. Keenan | 515 | 39.83 | 0.53 |
| | Liberal | J. Moore | 70 | 5.41 | 0.35 |
| | Conservative | J. Cole | 28 | 2.17 | |
| | Ward Labour | L. Evans | 12 | 0.93 | 3.04 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 153 | 11.83 | 0.16 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,293 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Labour | Liberal Democrats gain from Labour | Swing | 0.08 | |
7th May 1998 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Gary Airey | 681 | 50.97 | 27.98 |
| | Labour | Nev Bann | 525 | 39.30 | 23.24 |
| | Liberal | M. Williams | 77 | 5.76 | 8.70 |
| | Ward Labour | V. Marsland | 53 | 3.97 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 156 | 11.68 | 27.87 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,336 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Labour | Liberal Democrats gain from Labour | Swing | 25.61 | |
6th May 1996 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Richard White | 960 | 62.54 | 6.60 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Garry Airey | 353 | 23.00 | 2.00 |
| | Liberal | K. White | 222 | 14.46 | 10.11 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 607 | 39.54 | 4.60 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,535 | | |
| | Labour gain from Liberal Democrats | Labour gain from Liberal Democrats | Swing | -2.30 | |
4th May 1995 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | M. Clarke | 1,286 | 69.14 | 7.84 |
| | Liberal Democrats | G. Hulme | 465 | 25.00 | 7.85 |
| | Liberal | N. Roberts | 81 | 4.35 | 0.08 |
| | Conservative | K. Watkin | 28 | 1.51 | 0.07 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 821 | 44.14 | 15.68 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,860 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 7.84 | |
5th May 1994 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Neville Bann | 1,592 | 61.30 | 20.46 |
| | Liberal Democrats | G. Hulme | 853 | 32.85 | 14.77 |
| | Liberal | M. Langley | 111 | 4.27 | |
| | Conservative | D. O'Leary | 41 | 1.58 | 1.05 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 739 | 28.46 | 21.68 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,597 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 17.62 | |
7th May 1992 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | W. Barrow | 1,159 | 47.62 | 12.65 |
| | Labour | Cecilia Holleran | 994 | 40.84 | 19.34 |
| | Conservative | Denise O'Leary | 64 | 2.63 | 2.23 |
| | Smithdown Labour | D. Bermingham | 217 | 8.92 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 165 | 6.78 | 18.44 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,434 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Labour | Liberal Democrats gain from Labour | Swing | -16.00 | |
2nd May 1991 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | M. Clarke | 1,661 | 60.18 | 7.22 |
| | Liberal Democrats | W. Barrow | 965 | 34.96 | 6.97 |
| | Conservative | D. O'Leary | 134 | 4.86 | 2.40 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 696 | 25.22 | 14.19 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,760 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -7.10 | |
3rd May 1990 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Juliet Herzog | 2,632 | 67.40 | 9.44 |
| | Liberal Democrats | P. McGrath | 1,093 | 27.99 | 10.15 |
| | Conservative | Denise O'Leary | 96 | 2.46 | 2.86 |
| | Green | J. Stevenson | 84 | 2.15 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,539 | 39.41 | 19.59 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,905 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Elections of the 1980s

5th May 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | D. Bermingham | 2,791 | 76.84 | 26.36 |
| | SLD | Mary Young | 648 | 17.84 | 29.14 |
| | Conservative | F. Ryan | 193 | 5.31 | 2.78 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,143 | 59.00 | 55.51 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,632 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
7th May 1987 - 3 seats :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | I. Templeman | 2,682 | 54.77 | 4.29 |
| | Labour | Juliet Herzog | 2,660 | | |
| | Labour | Judith Nelson | 2,555 | | |
| | Alliance | E. R. Stephenson | 2,102 | 42.92 | 4.06 |
| | Alliance | Shirley Parry | 2,001 | | |
| | Alliance | Mary Young | 1,921 | | |
| | Conservative | J.S. Smith | 113 | 2.31 | 0.23 |
| | Conservative | Sarah L. Williamson | 100 | | |
| | Conservative | A. Vigar | 82 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 580 | 11.84 | 8.35 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,916 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,897 | 49.38 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

#### Notes

    a.^ Alex Gamble, Steve Jenkins and Dorothy Mathews were surcharged and banned from office following the Rate-capping rebellion. Three seats were contested at the 1986 election.
1st May 1986 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | A. Gamble | 2,152 | 50.48 | 8.78 |
| | Alliance | E. Stephenson | 2,003 | 46.99 | 9.80 |
| | Conservative | F. Sellers | 108 | 2.53 | 1.02 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 149 | 3.50 | 18.57 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,263 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 5.67 | |
1st May 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Dorothy Matthews | 2,884 | 59.26 | 5.49 |
| | Liberal | Anne Clitherow | 1,810 | 37.19 | 5.84 |
| | Conservative | S. J. Melia | 173 | 3.55 | 0.36 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,074 | 22.07 | 11.33 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,331 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,867 | 47.11 | 4.26 |
| | Labour gain from Liberal | Labour gain from Liberal | Swing | 5.67 | |
5th May 1983 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | S. M. Jenkins | 2,454 | 53.77 | 0.26 |
| | Liberal | J. S. Clitherow | 1,964 | 43.03 | 2.54 |
| | Conservative | B. J. Ardrey | 146 | 3.20 | 2.80 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 490 | 10.74 | 2.28 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,650 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,564 | 42.85 | 9.48 |
| | Labour gain from Liberal | Labour gain from Liberal | Swing | -1.14 | |
6 May 1982 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | A. Gamble | 1,981 | 53.51 | 16.96 |
| | Liberal | E. R. Stephenson | 1,499 | 40.49 | 15.47 |
| | Conservative | R. C. Duncalf | 222 | 6.00 | 1.49 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 482 | 13.02 | 6.40 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,744 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,702 | 33.37 | 0.94 |
| | Labour gain from Liberal | Labour gain from Liberal | Swing | 16.22 | |
6th May 1980 - 3 seats :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Anne Clitherow | 2,130 | 55.96 | |
| | Liberal | Joseph Sydney Clitherow | 2,046 | | |
| | Liberal | Ernest Richard Stephenson | 1,949 | | |
| | Labour | Peter Thomas Devaney | 1,391 | 36.55 | |
| | Labour | Paul Herbert Gray | 1,240 | | |
| | Labour | Joseph Stanton | 1,239 | | |
| | Conservative | John Atherton | 285 | 7.49 | |
| | Conservative | James McDermott | 234 | | |
| | Conservative | Rolland Louis Zollner | 129 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 739 | 19.42 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,095 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,806 | 34.30 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |