Wirral is mourning the Liberal Democrat councillor Andy Corkhill, who passed away on 4 October. His mum, Angela, and fiancée, Paola, were with him when he died peacefully at home.
Andy was just 36, but had been fighting recurring outbreaks of cancer since he was at university.
Born in Oxton, Andy went to St Saviour’s School then Wirral Grammar and as a lad played football with Glenavon JFC. Following a degree at Sheffield, Andy undertook doctoral research at Durham.
He joined the Liberal Democrats in 2015 and was driven by a passion for three Es: Equality, Europe and, above all, the Environment. Andy was elected as an Oxton councillor in 2019 and his maiden speech was on the environment – urging the Council not just to talk about climate change, but to take more urgent action.
He stood as a parliamentary candidate in Wirral West and was selected as the Lib Dem candidate for Metro Mayor – but was forced to withdraw as his health began to fail.
Fellow ward councillor Allan Brame said, “Andy was a rising star of the Liberal Democrats, liked and respected by everyone he met. He was ambitious for change and he had so much to contribute. It is a tragedy that his life was cut so cruelly short. He will be deeply missed.”
While Andy was a passionate politician, there was much more to him than that.
He was devoted to his fiancée, Paola, and their dog Bertie. Andy and Paola had been inseparable since they met, twelve years ago
Before the pandemic, Andy and Paola set up a small business, Flour will Fly, offering hands-on pasta-making classes. They saved up the money to buy a property for the business in Liverpool city centre.
Andy loved sport. He was an enthusiastic hockey player and was a regular at Anfield watching Liverpool, and enjoyed theatre and film. He had loyal friends who supported him through the difficult times.
Oxton councillor Stuart Kelly said, “Allan and I have not just lost a political colleague: we have lost a friend. Andy leaves his mum, Angie, and brother and sister, Chris and Sophie, as well as Paola. They are all very much in our thoughts.”
Chief Executive of Wirral Council, Paul Satoor, said, “The tragic death of Oxton councillor Andy Corkhill after his illness has saddened us all.
“He was elected to Wirral Council, as a member for Oxton, in 2019. In his time as a councillor, he was his party’s spokesperson on the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee as well as representing the authority on the Cheshire and Wirral NHS Partnership Trust as a Governor.
“He was widely recognised for his dedication to his community and his determination to campaign on climate change issues during his time on the council.
“To Andy’s family, friends and colleagues I offer our sincerest condolences on behalf of all of us at Wirral Council.”
Main image: Andy with his fiance, Paola
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