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Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson today revealed his plans to become the city’s newest Member of Parliament.

In a move that will cause shockwaves across Liverpool and Westminster - Mayor Anderson will put his name forward to replace his old adversary Steve Rotheram if the Walton MP becomes the new Liverpool City Region Mayor next month.

If successful, the move would end his seven year reign as city leader - the last five of them as the city's mayor.

The ECHO understands if the Walton seat becomes vacant it will not be filled through a traditional selection process, where the candidate is voted for by local members, but instead a candidate will be selected directly by Labour’s National Executive Committee.

In a statement to the ECHO Mayor Anderson said: "Today I announce my intention to stand as Labour’s candidate for MP in the Liverpool Walton constituency.

"This decision has not been made lightly. I have thought long and hard about it but I feel, with the Government calling a snap General Election, this is the right time for me to provide the best representation for the people of Liverpool and Walton."

He added: "It is fair to say that over the years I have been criticised for my direct way of doing things, my no nonsense attitude may not have been to everyone’s taste, but I strongly believe that we must always stand up to bullies, and it will be clear to everyone in Liverpool Walton that this Government is intent on bullying our city."

Mr Rotheram is the clear favourite for the new metro mayoral position and rumours have been circulating about who could fill the vacant - and very safe - Labour MP seat in Walton which he is expected to give up ahead of June’s snap General Election.

While a number of local councillors and other figures have registered their interest in the much sought-after seat, Mayor Anderson’s announcement will come as a surprise to many.

However after losing out to Mr Rotheram in his bid to become the Labour candidate for Metro Mayor last year, and following several high-profile disagreements between the two, some had speculated about how their new relationship could work if the Walton MP is elected Metro Mayor next month.

Mayor Anderson will stand on a platform of local government experience and a will to take the fight against Tory cuts directly to the government.

He said: "Every day I have fought for Liverpool against the cuts and against those in the Westminster bubble who want to pull us down and hold us back.

"The Conservative and Liberal Democrat’s continued unfair and vicious attacks, despite our pleas, is evidence of National Government’s complete lack of understanding of how local councils work and, more importantly, the lives of the people who feel the devastating effects of their ignorance.

"With almost 20 years of local government experience, and seven years as leader then Mayor of Liverpool, I have continuously battled and fought for us to be treated fairly, but it is almost impossible to do when they simply refuse to listen."

The Walton seat - regarded as one of the safest for Labour in the country - could provide Mayor Anderson with the perfect escape route, keeping him in a prominent political position and enabling him to fight for Liverpool on a national level.

The 59-year-old started his political career as a city councillor in the former Abercromby ward, before going on to represent Riverside ward in 2004.

In 2010 he became the new leader of Labour and, subsequently, the leader of the council as his party wrestled control from the Liberal Democrats.

2012 represented a major moment in Mayor Anderson's career as the council voted to bring in the position of elected Mayor of Liverpool - bypassing the traditional practice of a referendum which was held in other cities. He has held the role ever since.

But last year’s loss to Mr Rotheram in the Labour Metro Mayor nomination contest was a huge blow, one Mayor Anderson described as “heartbreaking".

(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

He says he will run for the Walton seat because he wants to “look the Tories in the eye” and tell them directly how much damage they have done to Liverpool with their austerity policies.

He said: "Vulnerable people in Walton depend on the services of our council, as do millions of others across the country, and I want the opportunity to go to Parliament, tell their story and look government ministers in the eye as I explain how important local government is to them."

And speaking directly to the people of Liverpool Mayor Anderson added: "With your support, I have steered Liverpool through seven years of painful austerity, but I am proud to call our council a socialist council.

"Despite their bludgeoning cuts we haven’t closed a single library or children’s centre. We have protected the most vulnerable in our communities. We have built 15 new and improved schools across the city.

"I am proud of our achievements, and the city is in a good place, with a growing and vibrant economy.

"If I am selected by the NEC, we have a strong group of Labour councillors who will continue to do an incredible job and I fully trust that, if I’m chosen, they will continue to move this city forward."

He said serving the people of Liverpool as Mayor has been "a huge privilege" adding: "But now, as we face the uncertainties of Brexit, a shrinking national economy and the prospect of further austerity, I face an opportunity to use my experience to take the fight direct to Whitehall, to stand up to Theresa May on behalf of the people of Walton, Liverpool and together burst the Westminster bubble.

"I would hope that the people of Liverpool can understand how I have come to this decision and that party members both nationally and locally will understand that my heart’s desire is to fight for the people of Liverpool and Labour’s vision for running the country.

"This General Election, as a chance to stand up in Parliament for Walton and Liverpool, is an opportunity I must take."