Labour loses Exeter control while Reform rises in Plymouth elections
Elections shake up Exeter and Plymouth councils
Recent local elections have transformed political landscapes in both Exeter and Plymouth, with Labour losing control in Exeter and Reform UK making substantial gains in Plymouth.
In Exeter, Labour faced significant setbacks, including the loss of deputy leader Councillor Laura Wright to the Green Party's Jack Reed in the St Thomas ward.
Wright's loss reflects the growing strength of the Green Party in Exeter, which made the biggest gains of the night.
Other Labour casualties included Matthew Vizard, losing Newtown and St Leonards to Green candidate Bernadette Chelvanayagam, and Marina Asvashin narrowly defeated in Priory by Reform UK’s Nicholas Williams.
Cllr Phil Bialyk, leader of Exeter City Council, assured that Labour, despite losing overall control, would continue to provide leadership as the city's largest party.
In Plymouth, Reform UK celebrated significant advancements, winning 14 seats and becoming the council's second-largest group.
Although Labour retained control due to its majority, it concluded the count with nine fewer councillors compared to the previous 2022 elections.
Following these elections, Reform UK boasts a total of 16 seats in Plymouth, strengthening its influence significantly.
The Conservative Party lost six seats in Plymouth, bringing its total down to three, while the Green Party gained one more seat, increasing its count to three.
Both cities have seen a shift in political power, marking a notable change in their local governance dynamics.