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Preston Lib Dem councillor quits 'to see girlfriend'

BBC Published May 26, 2010 Reviewed Jul 3, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

Liam Pennington, aged 30, was elected as Liberal Democrat councillor for Riversway ward in Preston on 7 May, winning by four votes.

30 years · Liam Pennington4 votes · margin of victory

A by-election for the Riversway ward seat will cost £5,000 and is scheduled for two months after the resignation.

5000 GBP · by-election cost2 months · time until by-election

Christine Abram served as Preston's Liberal Democrat leader until her defection two years ago.

2 years · time since defection

Liam Pennington campaigned for six weeks leading up to the 7 May election.

6 weeks · campaign duration

On 7 May, nearly 4,500 local people voted in the Riversway ward election.

about 4500 people · voters in Riversway ward election

Liam Pennington won the Riversway ward seat from Labour by four votes on 7 May.

4 votes · seat

Danny Gallagher said Liam Pennington campaigned hard in the ward for six weeks running up to the election.

6 weeks · campaign duration Danny Gallagher, Preston Lib Dem leader

A Preston City Council spokesman said the by‑election will cost £5,000 and be held in two months.

5000 pounds · by-election cost Preston City Council spokesman, spokesman

Nearly 4,500 local people voted in the ward election on the evening of Liam Pennington’s election.

about 4500 people · voters Mr Pennington, councillor

The resignation forced a by‑election in Preston costing £5,000, announced three weeks ago.

5000 pounds · by-election cost

Christine Abram said Liam has stood several times to be elected over the past 10 years.

10 years · standing period Christine Abram, former Liberal Democrat leader

A Liberal Democrat councillor elected three weeks ago has resigned "to spend more time with his girlfriend", forcing a £5,000 by-election in Preston.

Liam Pennington, 30, took the city's Riversway ward seat from Labour by four votes on 7 May.

In a written statement he said local people "deserve a street champion not an accidental councillor".

Preston Lib Dem leader Danny Gallagher said he had tried to dissuade Mr Pennington from stepping down.

Mr Gallagher said Mr Pennington, who lives in Preston and works for Enterprise Plc, "campaigned hard" in the ward for six weeks running up to the election and was a "committed party worker".

"Something has happened in Liam's personal life and whether you condone it or not you have to accept it," he said.

"He wanted to spend more time with his girlfriend and I think he will be now - for solace if nothing else.

"It's a sad day because Liam would have made a great councillor."

Conservative councillor Christine Abram, who was Preston's Liberal Democrat leader until her defection two years ago, said she was "shocked and baffled" by Mr Pennington's decision.

"When I was a Liberal Democrat, Liam was one of our best foot soldiers and he has stood several times to be elected over the past 10 years.

"I was standing behind him at the count on 7 May and he was ecstatic when he won.

"He's abused the faith of the people who voted for him and let them down."

Riversway Labour ward councillor Dave Wilson said: "It's a personal decision for him.

"Something must have happened in his life, but I don't know about it, so wouldn't wish to judge him."

A Preston City Council spokesman said plans were under way to book polling stations and rota staff for a by-election in two months time at a cost of £5,000.

On the evening of his election, when nearly 4,500 local people voted in his ward election, Mr Pennington wrote on his Facebook page: "Thanks to the voters of Broadgate, the Docks, and Christ Church, for putting their trust in me.

"I am now councillor for Riversway, and will do all I can to repay their trust and, also, drink quite a lot."

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