Women in Politics: How Female Politicians Changed Liverpool

As the 19th century drew to a close, Liverpool was already a city of industry, big decisions, and major political ambitions – but all these decisions were made by men. Women had no access to the corridors of power, and the system’s very structure cast doubt on their right to speak on behalf of the community. Yet, step by step, they began to enter the city council chamber – first as an exception, and later as a voice demanding respect. Who were these women, what did they achieve, and what problems still remain – the website liverpoolyes.com investigated.

In short, the history of female leadership in Liverpool is one generally filled with determination, shrewdness, and, at times, desperate boldness. Because sometimes, to be heard, you have to speak louder than protocol allows. And in this situation, as you will see, the main thing is not to burn out too soon before the doors open.

From ‘Exception’ to Example: The First Women on the City Council

In the early 20th century, women in Liverpool politics were not so much a new phenomenon as a challenge to the social norm. They entered local government facing an atmosphere of distrust, surprise, or open opposition – yet they still found ways to change the narrative and contribute to the city’s governance.

The first woman elected to Liverpool City Council was Eleanor Rathbone in 1909. She did not represent any party, choosing an independent path that allowed her to disagree with both conservative frameworks and the majority line. While an article on our site has already covered her feminist views and fight for women’s rights, here we emphasise something else: her role in developing ‘local activism’.

It was in the City Council that Rathbone first attempted to turn the principles of social justice into concrete decisions – from reforms in the poor relief system to transparency in budget spending. This was a school of political action from the grassroots up, which she later carried into national politics.

Another early example is Margaret Beavan, elected Lord Mayor in 1927. She was nicknamed the “Mother of the City,” which perfectly encapsulates how public opinion stubbornly tried to confine her role within the boundaries of care and charity. But Beavan herself did not limit her presence in power to a symbolic one; she promoted initiatives for children and orphans, worked with charitable foundations, and skillfully managed public sentiment. In those years, the position of Lord Mayor was more ceremonial, but she set the model for a female public presence that did not seem out of place.

In the 1920s and 30s, the appearance of a woman on Liverpool City Council remained an exception. But even these individual figures laid the foundation: the city’s women could become autonomous political figures. And the more exceptions there were, the closer the city was to forming a new rule.

‘If you don’t do something outrageous…’: Female Political Tactics in the Mid-20th Century

Bessie Braddock was considered loud and even feared. She could halt a council meeting to personally lecture officials about the unsanitary conditions in the working-class districts. Her manner was direct, even aggressive, but it was precisely this behaviour that opened doors that remained closed to ‘reserved’ women. And she understood this perfectly.

If you don’t do something outrageous – no one will ever pay any attention to you

– Braddock used to say, and it was a survival strategy in a political environment not created for her.

Bessie was born in Liverpool to a family of activists and began her political activity in the 1920s. She became one of the few women who influenced city politics not through ceremonial positions, but through work on real problems. Her fight for social housing, hospital reform, and educational access made her a figure who was both admired and ridiculed. To some, she was a ‘woman of character’; to others, something of a ‘tomboy’, which was a somewhat unusual image for a female politician.

The middle of the 20th century in Liverpool was a period when the female voice in the council became more noticeable, but was still perceived as an exception to the rule. And it was women like Braddock who created a new type of politics: emotional, unpredictable, but effective. They learned to use their own publicity as a tool for pressure, and scandal as a way to exert influence. And although critics considered such a governing style ‘hysterical’, in a world where women were not given the right to speak, being loud was the only way to achieve anything.

Symbolic Power or Real Influence: Women in Politics in Modern Liverpool

In the 21st century, it seemed that Liverpool was finally ready to entrust women with important positions. But it is worth distinguishing between two concepts: public representation and actual influence on decision-making. Female political leadership in the city clearly demonstrates this tension.

In 2019, Anna Rothery became the first Black woman to serve as Lord Mayor of Liverpool. A ceremonial role – yes. But the event was symbolic: a woman from a working-class district, an activist, a representative of minorities, embodied the Liverpool that rarely had a voice in politics. Her work focused on culture, education, and social justice. However, her candidacy was later removed from the list of contenders for the next city mayor without explanation. This showed that women can be the face of the community, but do not always have real influence.

In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Wendy Simon took over as Acting Mayor. She literally ran the city from her living room, simultaneously organising aid for medics, resolving budget issues, and maintaining contact with the government. Despite the colossal efforts under crisis conditions, Wendy’s name remained in the shadows. Yet it was she who stabilised a situation that was on the verge of administrative collapse.

In 2021, Liverpool elected its first woman to the position of directly elected Mayor – Joanne Anderson. Prior to this, she had worked as a councillor for racial equality, was a city council representative, and had a reputation as a politician who thought independently. Her election was historic: she was the first woman and, at the same time, the first Black person to hold this post in the city.

But reality proved more complex: Joanne Anderson had to work under conditions of strained internal council relations, pressure following her predecessor’s corruption scandal, and serious restrictions on powers. In 2022, she announced she would not run for a second term. And in 2023, the position of directly elected Mayor in Liverpool was abolished altogether – the city returned to a collegiate model of governance, where the leader of the council is elected by the councillors themselves.

These stories illustrate two things. First – Liverpool has indeed opened up to female leadership. Second – this is not enough to ensure equal rights and fairness on gender issues. Because while the system remains unchanged, even the most principled and strong female politicians are forced to balance image support with real decisions that benefit the community.

Today’s Challenges: Where is Female Leadership in Liverpool Heading?

So, since 2023, the leader of Liverpool City Council is elected by its own members. At first glance, the change is purely technical. In reality, it is a complete restructuring of the city’s power architecture.

Direct elections created opportunities for charismatic, non-typical candidates – those who had community support but not necessarily that of the political apparatus. The abolition of this model returned power to the internal party mechanism, which has historically been dominated by men. It has become even harder for women, especially those from minorities or without the ‘right’ connections, to break through to the top.

Yet, at the same time, the number of female councillors in Liverpool is increasing. They are active in committees, initiating changes in housing policy, gender equality, and poverty reduction. The average age of female politicians is decreasing, and their working style is becoming more collective and less hierarchical. More and more women lead departmental units or join the council’s executive bodies.

The question remains: will we see a woman in the role of Council Leader in the near future? And furthermore – will the system be ready to accept it? But one thing is clear — today, female leadership in Liverpool is no longer an exception or a scandal, but simply a common reality.