Councillor Mary Rasmussen became Lord Mayor of Liverpool in 2023-2024. The person who holds such a position is always an active member of the Council. The Council also appoints the Lord Mayor for one year. Mary Rasmussen (maiden name Gibbons) is a politician of the British Labour Party. She has represented the Speke-Garston ward on Liverpool City Council since May 2007. Learn more about her biography, career and views at liverpoolyes.
Early years and education
Mary Gibbons was born in Garston, Liverpool, to the Irish parents, Thomas and Theresa. She was the third of ten children. Gibbons tried to live in Glasgow and London, after which they decided to settle in Liverpool. They always told their children that it was the best decision they ever made. Mary shares their feelings.
The future politician studied at St. Francis of Assisi Primary School and then at Blessed John Almond School. Mary completed a university course, after which she decided to work with long-term unemployed people. It meant putting higher education on the back burner.
Career
The experience of working with the unemployed helped in advancing the career ladder. From August 2014, Mary Rasmussen joined the UK employment agency Reed as a Partnership Manager and subsequently held senior roles in several groups such as Speke Community Pensioners Group and Speke Adventure Playground.
Then she moved on to Liverpool City Council, where Rasmussen was elected in May 2007, replacing Labour councillor Doreen Knight. Mary’s main rival was Paula Keaveney from the Liberal Democrats. Mary won with 57.1% of the votes. Since then, Rasmussen has won several more times, and in 2019, she showed an insane level of support, scoring almost 80%.
The politician served as Chair of Liverpool City Council’s Labour Group and was also responsible for ensuring discipline during voting, becoming the first woman in history to be entrusted with this honour. For the first time, Rasmussen became Lord Mayor in 2021 after being sworn in on May 28. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing requirements, the ceremony was held at the Liverpool Tennis Centre.
One of her steps in the position was sponsoring the Whitechapel Centre, Tom Harrison House and Speke Training and Education Centre. The first term came to an end in May 2022, but a year later, Rasmussen became Lord Mayor again.
Views, duties and priorities
In general, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool represents the city at public events, establishes national and international relations, supports local charities and community groups, grants the title of Honorary Freemen, attends events of various religious denominations and votes at council meetings.
Mary believes that Liverpool is the best city because its people are the best in the world. Her son Michael and daughter Janine became her Lord Mayor’s Consort and Lady Mayoress respectively. Michael is a mathematician by education, while Janine is more involved in family matters and supports the local community.
The Labour Party is a left-of-centre political party that traditionally advocates for social justice, equality and respect for workers’ rights. However, the political views of each individual party member can differ significantly. Mary Rasmussen isn’t active in expressing her position, but this isn’t surprising given the position she holds. For Lord Mayors, it is more important to maintain the image of the city, which she does. Considering this issue, the politician said the following:
“I have received so many messages of support from across the country and beyond and I hope that I can make everybody proud as I promote the greatest city and its wonderful people.”
Undoubtedly, Mary Rasmussen does her best to promote Liverpool and its people nationally and internationally. She also tries to support the Local Solutions charity organisation.