Tory MPs want Labour leader to run Plymouth

It follows tree massacre

Plymouth’s Labour Group leader Tudor Evans has thanked local Tory MPs for suggesting he should take the helm after current council leader Richard Bingley resigns, as indicated, on Monday.

His reported decision follows outrage after more than a hundred trees were felled under cover of darkness last week.

However Cllr Evans insists the person who runs the council should be a decision made by voters.

The suggestion he takes over comes after a joint statement by Moor View MP Johnny Mercer and South West Devon MP Sir Gary Streeter – both Conservatives. The suggest Labour’s Cllr Evans should form an administration until the local elections in May.

Mr Bingley, who had been leader for just over a year, was facing two votes of no confidence next week.

The councillor for Southway has now said he will step down as leader of the council and the Tory group from Monday 27 March.

Labour group leader and councillor for Ham ward, Mr Evans, described the development as an example of “ongoing chaos, backstabbing and infighting of the Conservative group.”

He added: “It’s unprecedented for the city’s two Conservative MPs to call for the Conservative group to step aside to make way for Labour. 

“We agree with Johnny Mercer and Gary Streeter that only Labour can bring stability to the council but we believe that decision should be made by the people of Plymouth at the election on 4 May.”

The Independent Alliance and Greens have also welcomed Cllr Bingley’s decision to resign.

A new council leader is expected to be chosen at a full council meeting on Monday.