Stephen Yip, founder of the children’s charity KIND (Kids in Need and Distress) and a Freeman of the City and will run for Mayor of Liverpool as an independent candidate. Tony McDonough reports
One of the best known figures in the Merseyside charity sector is to run for Mayor of Liverpool as an independent candidate.
Stephen Yip, founder of the children’s charity KIND (Kids in Need and Distress) and a Freeman of the City, has announced his intentions amid a weak of chaos over the selection process for the Labour candidate to replace Joe Anderson.
The party scrapped its original shortlist which comprised three city councillors – current Acting Mayor Wendy Simon, former Deputy Mayor Ann O’Byrne and current Lord Mayor Anna Rothery. It is now seeking a new candidate with the deadline for applications closing Thursday.
It was believed former Merseyside MEP Theresa Griffin would be on the shortlist but she has now ruled herself out. Downtown in Liverpool chief executive Frank McKenna has said that, after deliberating this week, he has decided not to apply.
Mr Yip said recent events and allegations concerning the crisis-hit council were seriously damaging the city’s reputation at a time when its people are facing unprecedented hardship and challenges.
He said: “Recent events have brought embarrassment and disgrace to our city. We desperately need real leadership – the kind that reaches out and brings people together. Times are tough. Austerity and COVID-19 have both taken a heavy toll on our city. More struggles lie ahead.
“Liverpool needs unity, now more than ever. But you can’t have unity without trust. And trust in our city leaders has been shattered.”
Mr Yip is promising, if elected, to work with people outside politics, from all Liverpool’s communities and political parties, to rebuild confidence and pride in the city.
He added: “I have been struck over the last few weeks by the number of people calling for an independent mayor, and I believe an Independent would be in a much stronger position to bring people and parties together to help the city recover from this desperately serious situation.
“Everyone who loves Liverpool is depressed and saddened by the way our politicians have let us down. We know we can do better, but it will need radical change, fresh ideas and people from outside the existing city council to fix what’s clearly broken.”
His run for Mayor is being supported by Sue Weir, chief executive of local social business Medicash. She said: “Stephen has built a charity that has transformed lives and created opportunities for some of our most disadvantaged young people.
“I know that what he has achieved in his professional life he can now do for the wider city. Stephen is the right person at the right time for Liverpool, someone with fresh ideas and an untainted approach.”