Homes for local families top Exeter hustings agenda

Debate features eight candidates from four parties and two constituencies

Building homes for local people, strengthening the NHS and rebuilding relationships with Europe are among the top priorities for Devon general election candidates.

Eight would-be MPs from two Devon constituencies took part in an online hustings organised by business organisation the Exeter Chamber.

The city’s continual battle to balance the needs of its growing university population with those of local families was also among the topics aired.

The candidates were spread across four parties and two constituencies - Exeter and the new Exmouth and Exeter East seat.

Each was given a four-minute introductory slot, followed by questions posed by chamber members representing various businesses across the city.

Helen Dallimore (Lab, Exmouth and Exeter East) pledged a cut in corporation tax and said revitalising and revamping high streets should be a priority, while David Reed (Con, Exmouth and Exeter East) wants to drive investment. “If business does well, we all do well,” he said.

If he is elected, Andrew Bell (Green, Exeter) plans to call for grants to help businesses cut carbon, and wants a new market square in Exeter.

Steve Race (Labour, Exeter) said his party wants to work "hand in glove" with the business community, and would rebuild the NHS and other public services.

Will Aczel (Lib Dem, Exeter) pledged a reform of business rates in favour of "something that taxes land and not tenants" and a pay rise for apprentices, while Tessa Tucker (Con, Exeter) pledged 100,000 new apprenticeships as part of a drive to get millions of people back to work.

Paul Arnott (Lib Dem, Exmouth and Exeter East) said it is important to rebuild relationships with the country's European neighbours, while Olly Davey (Green, Exmouth and Exeter East) said more apprenticeships would offer young people a range of ways into work.

The candidates were told that current planning laws are holding back development and economic growth, and were asked what changes they would make.

Mr Arnott replied: “The way the current government has managed the planning system has just been thoughtless. Any incoming government will have to change all of that.

“It doesn’t mean no development. It has to mean the right development.”

Mr Davey said different interests had to be balanced. “Sometimes businesses only see everything in slightly black and white terms,” he added. “Sometimes they don’t recognise that simply removing any obstruction to them expanding their business is not as straightforward as they think it is.”

Mr Race told the meeting: “The planning system in this is one of the main drags on economic growth. Labour will be renewing it.”

He said it is important to build homes for local people, but developments must have their community facilities in place too.

“Cranbrook is a classic example of where that has not happened,” he said. “They still don’t have a town centre. Clearly planning isn’t working for people or for businesses.”

And Ms Tucker summed up: “I want to see a greater emphasis on housing for local people. The balance in favour of student accommodation has tipped too far.

“You walk down a street in Exeter and there are no local families there at all. That is something I want to see addressed.

“The university is obviously fantastic for the city, but we need to make sure we have enough housing for local people, and put their needs first.”

The candidates also answered questions on parking charges and funding for the arts and culture.

The full list of candidates in the two constituencies is as follows: Exeter – Will Aczel (Lib Dem), Andrew Bell (Green), Lee Bunker (Reform UK), William Poulter (Ind), Steve Race (Lab), Robert Spain (Ind), Tessa Tucker (Con).

Exmouth and Exeter East - Paul Arnott (Lib Dem), Mark Baldwin (Climate Party), Helen Dallimore (Lab), Olly Davey (Green), Peter Faithfull (Ind), David Reed (Con), Garry Sutherland (Reform UK), Daniel Wilson (Ind)

Organisers of the Exeter Chamber event invited both Reform UK candidates but did not receive replies. The independent candidates were not invited to take part.