Exeter politicians make their final pitches

The local elections are on Thursday 4th May

Party leaders in Exeter are making their final pitches to voters ahead of the local elections.

In line with the usual cycle, a third of the council’s 39 seats are up for grabs, with Labour, Conservatives, Greens and Liberal Democrats each contesting every seat.

The council’s current makeup consists of Labour (25), Conservatives (5), Green (5), Liberal Democrats (2), Independent (2).

If the seats up for election are removed from those figures, the new council political make-up starts with Labour with 18 councillors, the Conservatives and Greens on three, and one Liberal Democrat and Independent councillors.

Ahead of election day, the party’s leaders were each given a minute by Radio Exe’s Devoncast podcast to sum up why you should vote for them on Thursday, 4 May.

Phil Bialyk (Labour)
“Voting Labour means that we’re on your side in the cost-of-living crisis. Investing over £800,000 in over 100 local groups, we’re committed to building 500 new council homes and refitting up to 4,000 existing homes in the council [area].

“We’re working to tackle the climate crisis, bringing in solar energy into the council. We’re helping everybody to be healthy and active. Labour is improving our parks, green spaces and we’ve launched our own council leisure services.

“We’ve built the best and first passivhaus leisure pool in the country and we’re investing in our community; making safer by upgrading our CCTV, opening Edwards Court – Exeter’s first extra care scheme – and progressing our local plan and consulting on a new article 4 directive for the city.

“These are the reasons why should vote Labour in these elections.”

Anne Jobson (Conservative)
“We have a plan for Exeter to stop debt from rising. Labour have borrowed over £167 million with £3 million in debt repayment year-on-year. That has a detrimental effect on services.

“To improve refuse and recycling. Under Labour recycling rates have dropped from 36 to 25.5 per cent. We will set a timescale for the rollout of kerbside glass collection.

To provide genuinely affordable homes, prioritising building social and affordable homes for rent and sale with an aim of a front door onto the streets and not a corridor.

“To improve our green environment, consulting with local residents about enhancing local green spaces and seeking to find more land for allotments.

“To further improve CCTV and freeze car parking charges for two years, to ensure a city centre that is vibrant, safe, exciting and clean.

“To work with businesses, both large and small, on a real plan that puts net-carbon zero by 2030 at the heart of decision making, including encouraging developers to provide electric charging points on all new developments.

Diana Moore (Green)
“We’re committed to putting our communities first. Where Green Party councillors are elected, people like what they see and they want more.

“Our team of five city councillors have brought fresh ideas and constructive challenge to the council and we’ve got things done in our communities.

“Addressing the cost-of-living crisis and tackling the climate emergency lie at the heart of our priorities.

“We’ll fight for more truly affordable and decent homes; in the right places and built to the highest environmental standards. We’ll find ways to ensure all homes are well-insulated so they’re warm, affordable to heat and cut carbon emissions.

“We need increased investment in our parks and green spaces, to protect our waterways for people and nature to thrive.

“We’ll continue to promote safe and healthy walking, cycling and wheeling, and campaign for frequent, affordable public transport.

“We also think it’s high time for a modern market in the city centre. A community space to support small, local businesses and promote local, affordable food.

“So on the 4th of May, vote Green for a fairer, greener, healthier city.”

Kevin Mitchell (Lib Dem)

“Exeter Liberal Democrats believe in a new style of politics. That is why we are part of the Progressive Group [with the Green Party] on the city council, where on a daily basis we hold the Labour administration to account.

“We have a different philosophy on how the council should be run and believe very much that communities should come first. They should be listened to and it should be a community-led council, rather than a top-down council that at times it does feel like.

“Basic services should be prioritised ahead of big projects such as St Sidwell’s Point, and we would also ensure that we have a neighbourhood planning structure that is across the whole city so that communities feel that they are being listened to when it comes to the planning process.

“So please support this new way of working on the 4th of May.”

Elsewhere, one candidate is standing for Reform UK, Natasha Hannaford in St Thomas. The party nationally says it stands for secure borders, lower taxes, cheaper energy and zero waiting lists, but its Exeter policies have been harder to come by.

It has been contacted for more details but hasn’t replied at time of publication.

Two independents are also standing. Lucy Haigh in Heavitree is standing on a platform which includes more public say in low-traffic neighbourhoods, while Frankie Rufolo in Exwick is pledging to tackle speeding and parking problems.

Polling stations are open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Thursday, 4 May. Counting will take place at the Riverside Leisure Centre afterwards, meaning we will know the results in the early hours of Friday morning.