'It’s time to stop the divides', says re-elected MP

Politicians need to work together to get best for city and region

Re-elected MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport Luke Pollard says it’s time to work across party lines for the benefit of the city and the county as the political landscape dramatically changed overnight.

Labour now has two Plymouth MPs after Fred Thomas took the Moor View seat from Conservative Johnny Mercer after the result was announced at the city’s LIfe Centre.

City councillor Rebecca Smith for Tories retained South West Devon for the Tories, taking over from veteran MP Sir Gary Streeter. The consitutency embraces Plympton, Plymstock, Ivybridge and some villages in the South Hams and West Devon.

Across Devon, the Lib Dems snatched six seats from the Conservatives, meaning the previous dominant party in Devon now holds just four seats.

Kevin Foster (Torbay), Simon Jupp (Honiton and Sidmouth), Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot),  Anthony Mangnell (South Devon), and Selaine Saxby (North Devon) all fell under the electorate’s metaphorical axe.

Folliowing his re-election, Mr Foster said he was proud to be “a Janner” and represent the city he was born in and live in, but he wanted a new kind of politics.

He said chaos and division had dominated politics for too long, both nationally and locally.

He said the city had been through tough times over the past five years with covid, the implications of a “botched Brexit deal” and the “awful Keyham shootings,” but claims it is stronger as a result and now it has chosen change.

He continued: “For Plymouth to get our fair share, I want all our parliamentarians, all our councillors, our businesses all working together so we get a transport system that is properly fast and reliable, to get the houses built that we need especially genuinely affordable homes.”

“And I want to make sure we are getting our national health service back on its feet, not only in cities like Plymouth but in our rural and coastal communities too.

“These are big tasks, and with the mandate that the Labour government has to deliver on its manifesto, we have to make sure that works for every part of the country and it is my job, Fred’s job [the new Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View] and the job of Labour MPs across the region to make sure that is delivered across the south west as well, for everyone, not just those who voted for us.

Mr Pollard also gave his thanks publicity to Conservative Johnny Mercer for his services to the city as Moor View MP since 2015.

Plymouth Sutton and Devonport results:

Luke Pollard: 13,328

Peter Gold (Reform UK)7,467

Gareth Streeter: 6,873

Cam Hayward (Green): 3,186

Holly Greenberry-Pullen (Liberal Democrate): 2,441

Chaz Singh (Independent): 619

Guy Haywood (Workers Party): 311

Alex Moore (Trade Unionist and Socialist): 220

Robert Hawkins (Socialist Labour Party): 183