Exeter City Council: Labour Loses Control After 14 Years, Greens Gain Three Seats
Labour’s dominance on Exeter City Council has concluded, with the party failing to secure an overall majority in the recent local elections. While remaining the largest single group, Labour’s representation dropped by five councillors from the 2022 elections, bringing their total to 18.
Green Party Surges, Reform UK Enters
The Green Party emerged as the primary beneficiary of Labour’s losses, gaining three seats to reach a total of 10 councillors, solidifying their position as the second-largest party. The Liberal Democrats also increased their presence by one seat, now holding five. Reform UK secured three seats, marking their entry into the council, while the Conservatives saw their representation dwindle to a single councillor. Independent councillors maintained their two seats.
Green Party gains included wards such as Newtown & St Leonards, Pennsylvania, and St Thomas. In St Thomas, Green candidate Jack Reed unseated Labour’s deputy leader, Laura Wright, who finished fourth. Reed attributed the victory to strong local support, particularly in the lower St Thomas area.
Labour Leadership Remains Defiant
Despite the setback, Labour group leader Philip Bialyk suggested the results were not a complete rejection of his party. He noted that Labour successfully defended half of the seats they contested, avoiding a repeat of their performance in the Devon County Council elections. Bialyk stated Labour would present proposals for council leadership at the annual meeting on 20 May, expressing confidence that parties could collaborate for Exeter's benefit, despite their differences.
