Liverpool City Council
Cashman resigned his Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council seat in 2023 to contest Liverpool City Council's Church ward, where he was elected with 1,165 votes (55.4%). He is the current leader of the Liverpool Liberal Democrats, a position he has held since May 2023. He succeeded former leader Richard Kemp after an 11-year tenure as leader of the local party. He was re-elected as leader in May 2025.
In July 2025, Cashman said that his ambition was to lead Liverpool City Council, and has argued that the Liverpool Liberal Democrats had built the membership, organisation and campaigning infrastructure needed to challenge Labour's dominance on the council, which have been in power since 2010. In August 2025, Cashman called for Liverpool to become a target for the Liberal Democrats, arguing that the national party should seek to build on its local strength in the city.
He has described his priorities for Liverpool as increasing council housebuilding, addressing homelessness and temporary accommodation, improving street cleanliness and giving residents a greater voice in their communities. He has advocated policies aimed at tackling deprivation through increased investment in housing and local communities, arguing that Liverpool City Council should play a greater role in improving living conditions and expanding opportunities for residents. In October 2025, under Cashman's leadership, the Liverpool Liberal Democrats proposed a "city of villages" vision for Liverpool, including new council housing and neighbourhoods designed around local community facilities. In August 2026, with the national party's deputy leader Daisy Cooper, he launched the local party's Liverpool First policy paper, outlining proposals to support local businesses, attract investment, develop cultural and maritime districts, and strengthen the city's economy.
Cashman has described himself as a liberal and progressive, arguing that Liberalism should be viewed as distinct from the traditional left–right political spectrum. He has also expressed support for mutual and cooperative ownership and said he would not rule out standing for Parliament again – although he emphasised his commitment to local government in Liverpool.
Local Government Association
Cashman has held several positions representing the Local Government Association (LGA)'s Liberal Democrat Group, including membership of the LGA's Children and Young People Board in 2017–19, its Culture, Tourism and Sport Board in 2019–21, as a substitute on its City Regions Board from 2021–23, and on its Local Infrastructure and Net Zero Board from 2024–25. In June 2025, the LGA Liberal Democrat Group elected him lead of the City Regions Board. The LGA subsequently discontinued the City Regions Board and distributed its successful candidates between the new Inclusive Growth Committee and Public Service Reform and Innovation Committee; Cashman became the LGA Liberal Democrat Group's lead for Inclusive Growth and is currently vice chair of the LGA's Inclusive Growth Committee.
