The tax issue probably will stop Rayner. If Burnham does get back in via Bootle, it is rumoured she will be content with being Foreign Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister.
As for the Scouse Question, Aintree (and Bootle for that matter) were both absorbed by Liverpool’s expansion throughout the 20th century and are de facto part of Liverpool now. However, both officially remain in Sefton rather than Liverpool.
Although it has been taken over by Liverpool, in my youth I can remember old Bootle folk who very much considered themselves and their town to be separate from their neighbour.
Bootle Town Hall is a beautiful piece of civic architecture. A pity about how grim the rest of the town looks today.
