Labour takes control of Plymouth

City was a key target after year of turmoil

Labour is celebrating major gains in Plymouth which after the Tories suffered significant losses. 

Nineteen of the 57 seats were being contested in the city; one third of the council, in line with the usual cycle.

The Conservatives had been in control with a 23-seat minority, although had suffereed a series of resignations and suspensions.  That has been cut to just 18 while Labour, which had 24 seats now have 31.

Four of the five Independent Alliance candidates were up for election and hoped to gain seats from both Labour and the Tories. The number of Independents still stands at five but head of the group, Nick Kelly, a former Tory leader of the city council, lost his seat in Compton. 

Average turnout across the wards was 32 per cent.

Labour leader Tudor Evans, whose majority in Ham increased, said it was an important moment for the city.  

“This is a seismic shift in politics in Plymouth,” he said.

“If you think about Johnny Mercer’s constituency,  he didn’t win a single seat.  If you look at Luke Pollard’s  constituency, he won every seat. 

“We even won a seat in South West Devon, where Gary Streeter is. So we are delighted with tonight’s result. Amazing.” 

Resonding to earlier comments by Cllr Evans that Conservative MP for Plymouth Moor View, Johnny Mercer, would struggle to hold onto his seat in the next general election, Mr Mercer said:  “I think it’s always going to be a fight. I mean this seat had never been Conservative before. So I’m going to fight hard. I’m going to work hard, listen to the people, and we’re going to have a good year ahead. And I look forward to it.”

The final number of seats on Plymouth City Council is:

Labour 31 (+7)

Conservative 18 (-5)

Independents 5  ( no change)

Green 2  (-1)

One seat is vacant.