Election call to Newton Abbot 'keyboard warriors'

Hopes for better turnout as town goes to polls

Newton Abbot’s ‘keyboard warriors’ should stand up and be counted, it's been claimed, and have the chance to do so in elections next week.

Three candidates are standing in the Bushell ward on Thursday 8 February, with the vacancy created when sitting Conservative councillor Simon Walker stepped down for personal reasons.

Mr Walker was elected last May along with fellow Conservative Nicolas Yabsley, Liberal Democrat Tom Corney-Walker and Mike Joyce of the South Devon Alliance.

Unsuccessful 2023 candidate Madeleine Hunt of the Heritage Party returns for another go in the poll next week.

She is  joined on the ballot paper by Liberal Democrat Amanda Ineson and Kerry Sutton, who is standing on a ‘#savequeenstreet’ ticket in reference to the controversial traffic scheme proposed for Newton Abbot town centre.

The Bushell seat includes Broadlands, Abbotsbury, Knowles Hill, Sandford Orleigh, Jetty Marsh and much of the town centre south of Newton Abbot College through to East Street.

It is one of 18 on the town council.

Polling stations at the Salvation Army Community Hall, Newton Abbot Children’s Centre and Abbotsbury Church will be open from 7am to 10pm, and although polling cards will not be issued, voters will need photographic ID.

Town clerk Phil Rowe hopes turnout will be better than that experienced elsewhere in the district where in one recent election only 14 per cent of the electorate voted.

He said: “There are plenty of topics in our town that have given residents and businesses cause to express very strong opinions of late and although the town council has limited powers, only by serving as a member do you get a seat at the table where the meaningful discussions take place.

“Keyboard warriors might get plenty of likes on social media, but that counts for nothing in the formal business of local government.

“‘The UK system of democracy might not suit everyone but it’s the only one we have, so make it work for you by taking part and being part of the election on 8 February.”