Independent Mayoral candidate, Stephen Yip, is today pledging to save a cherished Liverpool landmark from potential demolition. Audley House, currently home to the TJ Hughes department store has been a prominent feature of London Rd since its completion in 1910, and it has been the hub for one of Liverpool’s busiest retail districts.

Plans for the relocation of the TJ Hughes business and the demolition and redevelopment of the store are at an advanced stage, and it is understood that the owners have been in discussion with City planners since 2019. Although it is unclear where the new store will be located, plans for a large-scale apartment bloc on the site of the much-loved landmark are being resisted by local groups including the Fabric District CIC.

Stephen Yip commented:
“The CIC have already attempted to get Audley House listed and it is disappointing that Historic England have so far failed to recognise the building’s architectural and historic value. What is beyond dispute, is that this building is part of our shared heritage and is fundamental to the identity and character of this part of Liverpool.

“It’s a fine building and knocking it down to be replaced by another anonymous apartment block would completely undermine the future vision for the Fabric District.
It is understood that the CIC and local stakeholders have already put forward alternative plans for a building that could become a catalyst for the regeneration of the Fabric District area which is adjacent to the city’s thriving Knowledge Quarter.

Stephen Yip added:
“I understand why the owners of TJ Hughes may want to be closer to the main retail area, but the ideas put forward by the CIC and others for a food market, shared workspace, cultural space and an element of residential development are exciting and commercially deliverable.

“There is a readymade template in Hull where the Hammonds of Hull project has delivered a very similar mix of uses in a former House of Fraser store sold by Mike Ashley.

“We need a vision for the city centre that is proactive and imaginative not reactive and simply compliant to developer’s whims. If elected, I will actively support the CIC and local stakeholders and work to deliver a solution that is beneficial to the area, and that also allows TJ’s to trade successfully in the future.

“I believe that this can and must be achieved without sacrificing an attractive and much-loved Liverpool icon.”

“Can’t win Kemp” won’t fool voters, says Stephen Yip, as another Lib Dem endorses his campaign.
A respected former Lord Mayor has become the third senior member of Liverpool’s last Liberal Democrat administration to urge voters to back Independent Mayoral candidat, Stephen Yip.

Gerry Scott who represented the Grassendale Ward for more than 20 years said:
“I have no hesitation backing Stephen Yip as the candidate who is best qualified and most likely to win this election. His record of service to young people and families, together with his integrity and passion, make him ideally suited to lead Liverpool at a time of serious crisis.”

Stephen Yip said:
“I am delighted and honoured to receive the backing of Gerry Scott. He is a highly respected figure who has given great service to his community and the City. He embodies the decency and integrity that once characterised our City Council, and that have been desperately lacking in recent times. As Professor John Tong observed, the Council has been operating more like a mafia-type set-up than democratic and accountable local government.

“If opposition Councillors couldn’t see what was happening around them, then they should be asking themselves some very serious questions, not trying to convince voters that they can sort out this horrendous mess. Voters of all complexions and loyalties want change, and there is only one change candidate in this election.”
Gerry Scott’s backing is the latest endorsement from former Liberal Democrat Councillors and activists who believe that only the Independent candidate can beat Labour.  

Stephen Yip added:
“Voters know the Lib Dems can’t win the Mayoral election. They are only campaigning in a handful of wards and they will be happy to pick up a few extra Council seats. The idea that they are running a city-wide Mayoral campaign is a pretence and is only playing into the hands of a discredited Labour Party.”

Veteran anti-corruption campaigner and former Independent MP for Tatton, Martin Bell, has endorsed Stephen Yip’s bid to become Independent Mayor of Liverpool.
Martin Bell’s backing comes against a backdrop of a damning report into the dysfunctional authority by a Government Inspection team led by Max Caller, and a series of ongoing criminal investigations into corruption, bribery and witness intimidation.
Endorsing Stephen Yip as the candidate best qualified to tackle the city’s political crisis, Martin Bell said:  
“I have no hesitation in endorsing Stephen Yip and his campaign to become Mayor of Liverpool. Stephen’s track-record, skills and reputation make him the ideal person to inspire confidence and trust in the light of what has been happening in the city. An Independent Mayor with integrity and a commitment to honest and transparent governance is what Liverpool now needs more than anything.”
Stephen Yip has promised a root and branch approach to reforming the City Council and ensuring the highest standards of transparency and scrutiny. His pledges include:

• To implement all the recommendations of the Max Caller Report
• A fully independent Standards Board with an independent Chair and members
• Support for Council whistle-blowers through a properly resourced and independent protection
• A forensic investigation of key departments and services not covered by Max Caller’s Investigation
• To bring in Transparency UK to help design and implement a robust system governing member’s interest, Freedom of Information and effective public scrutiny of all Council business.

In addition, Mr Yip is today signing an 8-point pledge to promote the highest standards of conduct in office, based on a similar pledge signed by Martin Bell following his election to Parliament.
“The pledge is based on an initiative spearheaded by Consensus UK to promote the very highest standards of personal behaviour by elected officials, and I will be asking all those standing for election in Liverpool to make the same commitment.
“It’s sad that some of our elected representatives are still in denial about the severity and the scope of the crisis in our local democracy.
“Let me assure them, that from my conversations with Liverpool people, voters feel shocked and betrayed by what has been revealed and they want radical and lasting change. That why I am standing and it’s what I am promising. We need to reset democracy and reset Liverpool otherwise we will never regain public trust and confidence.”    

Independent Liverpool Mayoral candidate, Stephen Yip, has written to the leaders of the city’s business organisations endorsing their call for a closer working relationship, and a “Team Liverpool” approach to boost the city’s economic fortunes. The call from Liverpool Chamber, Professional Liverpool, Downtown in Business and the City’s MIPIM Partnership came in response to the damning report from Max Caller’s Government inspection team into Liverpool City Council.

Stressing the need for positivity without complacency, Stephen Yip said:

“I support the need for a closer working relationship with business and all our civic stakeholders if we are to move forward and reset Liverpool. The Caller Report was a truly shocking insight into a Council that was allowed to develop a dysfunctional culture due to lack of internal and external scrutiny.

“We must never allow that to happen again, and that means we all have a responsibility to play our part in delivering fundamental structural and cultural change within our Council.”

Stephen Yip’s letter stresses the need for practical collaboration with business in addressing key challenges, including Liverpool’s post-Covid recovery, rebuilding investment confidence and radically improving the city’s performance in skills and education.

But it also stresses the need for radical cultural change in the relationship between the city’s leadership and its civic partners.

“Singing from the same hymn sheet and fostering a Team Liverpool approach are necessary but not sufficient prerequisites for progress. In a mature city, no Mayor or Council has a right to expect busines to become a compliant cheerleader or an uncritical PR appendage for its administration.

“A healthy and vibrant city requires its stakeholders to be both constructively engaged and unapologetically candid. If elected Mayor, my door, and my ears will be open. I will expect and welcome challenge, scrutiny and when required, criticism.

“Now more than ever, we need to rebuild trust, mutual respect and make space for honest conversation. Only if we grasp the seriousness of the current situation and commit ourselves to a radical reset can we ensure the future health of our democracy and our economy.”

Independent Mayoral Candidate, Stephen Yip has slammed attempts by former Labour Mayor of Liverpool to get the city’s Council Tax payers to fund his personal legal bills associated with the Operation Aloft criminal investigation.
Stephen Yip said:

“In the same week that it was revealed that Mr Anderson’s administration had cost Liverpool taxpayers over £100 million in dodgy land sales, it is beyond belief that he is asking us to fund his personal legal costs.

“Council Tax payer’s money is not a personal piggy bank for politicians.

“I have spent the last few days talking to Liverpool voters in some of our most deprived communities who are frankly disgusted that a Labour Council has squandered public assets to benefit property developers and favoured cronies.

“And still no-one from the Labour Party has even managed an apology. There is absolutely no limit to their shame.”

Stephen Yip says, only root and branch change can save Liverpool City Council from “existential threat”.

Independent Mayoral candidate, Stephen Yip is promising to take a root and branch approach to rebuild trust in Liverpool City Council. His pledge is made against a backdrop of multiple criminal investigations and whilst a Government inspection team headed by Max Caller is scrutinising the operation of several Council departments.

Stephen Yip said: “This is a truly shocking and shameful situation and if elected I pledge to do whatever is necessary to rebuild trust in our politics and our Council. People feel let down, and quite frankly don’t trust politicians who have been part of the process to do what’s necessary to get the city back on track.”

Stephen Yip has been working with Howard Winik the former Independent Chair of The Council’s Standards Committee, which was abolished in 2012, to design a robust and fully independent system to investigate and enforce complaints against Councillors. In addition, he is proposing proper support and protection for whistle-blowers who suspect unethical or illegal conduct within the authority.

He explained: “There are thousands of dedicated and hard-working public servants within The Council. For their sake and the people of Liverpool, it’s vital we root out every instance of corrupt or improper practice throughout the authority.”

Referring to the Government inspection team, Stephen Yip, believes there may need to be further forensic scrutiny of Council departments, even after Max Caller’s team have issued their report.

“We are facing an existential crisis in Liverpool, and it’s extraordinary that some of our politicians simply haven’t faced up to what is at stake. If we don’t demonstrate a willingness and a capacity to get our own house in order, then it’s highly likely that Government will step in and do it for us. Our very democracy is on the line.”

“For that reason, I am willing to appoint forensic accountants, a suitably qualified QC and whatever expertise is required, as part of an independent investigative Commission to carry out root and branch scrutiny of areas like procurement, contracts, licensing and members’ interests that fall outside the brief of Max Caller’s team.

“The Council will not regain the trust and confidence of the public until we have demonstrated that every part of this Council is clean, competent and transparent.”

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