 Bessie 's increasingly centrist stance troubled party members in Liverpool Exchange , where the Bevanite faction was generally popular . In 1954 the local party passed a motion requesting that she step down before the next general election . This was rejected by the NEC , who believed that Bessie was a national electoral asset . Shortly before the May 1955 general election the Exchange party tried again , and voted by 40 to 39 to deselect her . Bessie , convinced that this vote had been rigged , appealed to the NEC , who set the decision aside and imposed her on the constituency . These party machinations had no effect on Bessie 's popularity with the voters ; in the election on 26 May , despite the intervention of a left @-@ wing Independent Socialist candidate , she increased her majority to 7 @,@ 186 . Nevertheless , the Conservatives retained power with an increased parliamentary majority . In the municipal elections held that same month , Labour won control of Liverpool 's council for the first time ; Jack Braddock became council leader . Bessie gave up her St Anne 's ward seat , after 25 years , but remained on the council as a co @-@ opted alderman . 
