What is a Liverpolitan?
Local writer Richie Wright considers local identity and explores whether Liverpolitan could be a good name to describe the people of this region.
A whopping 1.6 million people live in the Liverpool City Region (LCR) across Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. Some confuse Merseyside and the LCR, but whilst five of these boroughs are in the county of Merseyside, Halton is actually in Cheshire.
As we all know, political decision-making comes from the capital. But, over time, more political and economic power has transferred from Westminster and Whitehall and into our region. In 1974, Liverpool, along with some surrounding areas, left the Lancashire and Cheshire counties and in to the newly created Merseyside. The following decades produced the Liverpool city region and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. In 2024, Steve Rotheram won his third term as Mayor of LCR and even more self-governing powers were devolved to the area.
Every four years, thousands upon thousands of people now elect a single Mayor who takes important decisions on their behalf. As a result of shared boundaries and a common administration, citizens of the LCR now actively think beyond their own wards and boroughs and directly participate in crucial matters affecting the city region as an entirely distinctive entity.
When considering regional identity, it's natural to reflect on Liverpool's fascinating history, its relationship with the world and how things have changed over centuries. Historians have written about Victorian 'Liverpolitans', proud inhabitants of one of the world's most important centres of trade, a growing global port metropolis that boasted new grand architecture and technology. Records from the 1900s in the British Newspaper Archive show people questioning whether Liverpolitan was a more appropriate term for local people compared to Liverpudlian, because Liverpool was increasing in size and importance.
Although ‘scouser’ is now pretty much the ubiquitous Liverpool region identifier, until the 1950s, a number of different names were used to describe Liverpool inhabitants. Around that time, there was a debate between the terms 'Liverpolitan' and 'Liverpudlian', which were used interchangeably. The main notable difference being that Liverpolitans apparently belonged to a higher social status.
It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that ‘Scouser’ actually took over, due in large part to radio popularity. It originally referred to a stew known as Scouse, brought to the port by Scandinavian sailors which nourished the city's poor.
Today, Liverpool people and their unique dialect are generally described as being Scouse. Many in the area proudly declare themselves as 'Scouse, not English'. For complex reasons, many believe this reclaims their identity against prejudiced stereotypes and social injustice. It stems from low points throughout local history when some had felt that the city had been neglected or insulted by the British establishment and media.
21st century Liverpool shares some parallels with Victorian times. The contemporary city and region are growing, regenerating and moulding a new global brand. Just as Victorian Liverpolitans were forward-thinking, today’s citizens are witnessing redevelopment and growth after some hard times throughout the 20th century. Significant decisions over transport, housing and economic development are now planned, coordinated, and carried out by a shared metropolitan administration.
Nonetheless, it is controversial to suggest that there is a common Liverpolitan identity. Recent debates and discussions in the media have shown that there are divided opinions. A readers' poll in a local newspaper found that while the majority of respondents wouldn't like to use the term, 34% would be happy with it.
Matters become more complicated because many see Liverpool and its surrounding areas as separate. Slang words and colloquialisms have strengthened this idea. People living near Liverpool are sometimes mocked as 'plastic scousers'. The term 'wools' (or woolybacks), is used pejoratively (or humorously) to associate surrounding areas with sheep's wool. St Helens-born comedian, Johnny Vegas, has parodied the word for his TV and radio production company; 'Woolyback Productions'. Some locals believe that to be a 'true Scouser' you must own a purple wheelie bin issued by Liverpool City Council for household rubbish.
The Liverpool City Region also encompasses identities affiliated to towns within its extended urban area. Some people identify as a Liverpudlian, St Helenian, Wirralite, Runcornian or Prescotian. Some people from Southport identify as 'Sandgrounders', or still feel part of Lancashire, as some do in St Helens. Some people in Wirral prefer Cheshire. For them, the Liverpolitan identity might feel too Liverpool-centric.
The strength of these identities and the nature of the relationship between Liverpool, its surrounding region, and the rest of Britain, make it difficult to discuss alternatives. Some people also reject the Liverpolitan term purely because they deem it pretentious or feel it sounds more like an ice-cream than a term of regional identification.
Perhaps those who are in favour of a Liverpolitan identity see an opportunity in describing a metropolitan, urban and cosmopolitan geography that extends beyond Liverpool city, and into Merseyside and parts of Cheshire. Some may argue that a more inclusive identity could help to highlight the area's diverse communities and bring them closer together. But of course, there are many people who have not come across the term at all.
In 2024, Mayor Steve Rotherham summed up the present-day city region on BBC Radio Merseyside: "We speak with many accents but because we have devolution and a Metro Mayor, we can now speak with one voice. It's not universally that we all feel that we are part of this Liverpolitan identity. I would love everybody to feel that they are part of a city region though”.
Challenging questions on identity are taking place as the term 'Liverpool city region' is being used more throughout the area. The transport body known as Merseytravel is changing to Transport for Liverpool City Region and the city region will also have its own crest and flag.
As the region’s brand evolves, so too might the conversation. For the time being, whilst a Liverpolitan identity exists, it is not an identity that is in widespread use and there is plenty of potential for healthy debate.
If we take one of the region’s most famous exports as an example of the debate. Melanie C, born in Whiston, was selected to represent Liverpool at a ceremony for Cunard ship Queen Anne. And on the Mathew Street Wall of Fame, a golden disc celebrates her musical achievements. Her name sits alongside those of music artists born in Wirral. These achievements are promoted as part of Liverpool's claim to be the 'World Capital City of Pop'. But are these people more Liverpudlian or Liverpolitan?
Whilst some may already see themselves as a Liverpolitan, others might always fundamentally disagree. Identity is a very personal experience.
More to explore
At Museum of Liverpool we celebrate the changing history of the city and the unique identity of Liverpool and its people.
The People's Republic gallery is about the experience of living in the city: what it means to be Liverpudlian, how people have left their mark on Liverpool and the impact and issues caused by dramatic social change over the last 200 years.
So why not visit us at the museum and find out some more stories?
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