Carl Cashman
Carl Cashman | |
|---|---|
 Cashman at Young Liberals Summer Conference in 2025 | |
| Liverpool City Councillor for Church | |
| Assumed office 3 May 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Kemp |
| Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Liverpool Leader of the Opposition | |
| Assumed office 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Kemp |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 1991 (age 34) |
| Nationality | English French |
| Party | Liberal Democrats |
| Alma mater | University of Liverpool |
| Website | www.carlcashman.org |
Carl Cashman is an English-French[1] politician. He serves as leader of the opposition in Liverpool City Council, representing the Church ward.[2] He is the leader of the Liberal Democrats in Liverpool, and led the party's chapter in Knowsley.[3]
Early life
Cashman is from the Liverpool city region. Born to an English-French mother, Cashman holds French citizenship from his mother.[4] He attended the University of Liverpool, reading joint honours in Philosophy and Politics[5] where he was briefly taught by Professor Stuart Wilks-Heeg,[6][7] author of Local Government from Thatcher to Blair: The Politics of Creative Autonomy.[8]
Career
Cashman was first elected as a councillor in 2016, for Prescot North in Prescot.[9][10] He became councillor for the Church ward in 2023.[11] The ward includes areas of Mossley Hill, Wavertree, and Childwall, notably including Liverpool Blue Coat School, Picton Clock Tower, Wavertree Lock-up, King David High School, and Penny Lane.
Since local councillors are unpaid, Cashman works as a mortgage broker.[12]
Local party leadership
Cashman was formerly the leader of the Knowsley Liberal Democrats. He is the current leader of the Liverpool branch of the party,[13] a position he has held since 2023. He replaced former leader Richard Kemp after an 11-year stint as local party leader.
Mayoral candidacy
Cashman ran against Steve Rotheram in the 2017 Liverpool City Region mayoral election. He lost to Rotheram, receiving 19,751 votes, 6.8% of the total.[14] Cashman stood with policies including the foundation of a representative office for Liverpool in Brussels, support for E.U. membership, protecting green space, and removing tolls for Liverpool's tunnels.
Media attention
Cashman received media attention for his appearance, and was dubbed 'Britain's sexiest politician'.[15] He was the subject of an American right-wing Twitter discussion garnering millions of views, wrongly calling him 'Conservative Chad'.[16] Cashman responded in an interview with The Tab, saying:
If it strengthens the liberal cause, and puts the lens on my city and its incredibly good looking population, then I'll take that. As for calling me a normie Conservative Chad, I couldn't be further from that. I'm what he would call a lefty liberal, his worst nightmare!
Cashman is popular in the LGBTQ community for his defence of gay rights. He was interviewed on his personal life and politics by drag queen Tiara Skye in Soho.[17]
References
- ^ Robledo, Jordan (2025-03-20). "Drag superstar Tiara Skye talks politics with the 'UK's sexiest politician' Carl Cashman". Gay Times. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "Councillor details - Councillor Carl Cashman". councillors.liverpool.gov.uk. 2025-10-16. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "Tougher action on Illegal E-Bikes, say Lib Dem Leader". www.liverlibdems.org.uk. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ Robledo, Jordan (2025-03-20). "Drag superstar Tiara Skye talks politics with the 'UK's sexiest politician' Carl Cashman". Gay Times. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "Philosophy and Politics BA (Hons) | Courses | University of Liverpool". www.liverpool.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "Professor Stuart Wilks-Heeg | Our people | University of Liverpool". www.liverpool.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "Stuart Wilks-Heeg". scholar.google.com. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ Atkinson, Hugh; Wilks-Heeg, Stuart (2000-12-22). Local Government from Thatcher to Blair: The Politics of Creative Autonomy. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-7456-2204-0.
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project - 2016 - Knowsley". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Prescot North Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project - 2023 - Liverpool". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "NewRegister". register.fca.org.uk. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ Thorp, Liam (2023-05-10). "31-year-old becomes new Liverpool Lib Dem opposition leader". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "Pugh welcomes Lib Dem nomination for Metro Mayor". Archived from the original on 2016-11-14. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ PoliticsJOE (2023-08-16). Is this Britain's sexiest politician? | Pubcast with Lib Dem Councillor Carl Cashman. Retrieved 2025-10-16 – via YouTube.
- ^ Brocklehurst, Harrison (2025-09-26). "I'm Carl Cashman: The sexy Scouse politician the U.S. far right are calling a 'Conservative Chad'". The Tab. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ Robledo, Jordan (2025-03-20). "Drag superstar Tiara Skye talks politics with the 'UK's sexiest politician' Carl Cashman". Gay Times. Retrieved 2025-10-16.