Exeter Lib Dems

Smashing result!

Congratulations Cllr Kevin Smith. Down to earth, very nice, and in tune with the issues in his local area - the ideal choice!

Also good to catch up with peeps

We're continuing to turn the tide in Devon 🔶

Swimming pool closure plans will be scrutinised Campaigners against the closure of an Exeter pool say they are pleased with the result.

Three wards in #ExmouthandExeterEast have services provided by Exeter City Council.
Well done to the Progressive Group @exeterlibdems.bsky.social & @exetergreens.bsky.social for their collective action last night.
Swimming pool closure plans will be scrutinised.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

"The case for electoral reform is stronger than it's ever been... We need system change."

@libdems.org.uk leader @eddavey.libdems.org.uk on Sky News today 👇

A phenomenal turnaround. All the better for tackling the top priorities we identified from local residents: fixing potholes, sorting out SEND, and addressing the Tories' financial mess, all with the approach of working in partnership with local communities and relevant authorities.
3/3

Map of Devon County results 2021 and 2025 by ElectionMapsUK

This will be vitally important in getting Exeter's voice heard in the local government reorganisation happening over the next few years.

Across Devon, we had been 30 seats behind the Tories (out of 60 cllrs total). Now, it's looking like we'll lead the council.
2/3

ELECTED Cllr Michael Mitchell for Duryard & Pennsylvania

Congratulations to Cllr Michael Mitchell, the new County Councillor for Duryard & Pennnsylvania!

Big thank you to all helpers and supporters.

The first Lib Dem County Councillor elected from the Exeter area for 16 years!
1/3

Your front page graphic on the local election results (1 May, print edition) omits the party that finished second but includes those that finished third and fourth. You wouldn't publish a Premier League table and omit Arsenal, so why leave out the Liberal Democrats? Yours sincerely, Mark Pack

A letter to The Guardian.

"If you're worried about the rise of divisive populist politicians like Donald Trump and like Nigel Farage, it will be the Liberal Democrats standing up for true British values."

@eddavey.libdems.org.uk

Graphic showing the 9 Lib Dem Devon County Council candidates for Exeter, with their images in circles around a map of the DCC ward boundaries in Exeter. Make your voice heard with Exeter Lib Dems. Michael Mitchell for Duryard & Pennsylvania. Jamie Horner for Exwick & St Thomas. Will Aczel for St Sidwells & St James. Rod Ruffle for St Davids & Haven Banks. Vanessa Newcombe for Alphington & Cowick. Christine Campion for Pinhoe & Mincinglake. Paul Richards for Heavitree & Whipton Barton. Adrian Lock for Wonford & St Loyes. Philip Thomas for Wearside & Topsham. On 1st May in Devon vote Liberal Democrat. Only the Lib Dems can provide a fresh start for Devon. Bar graph showing Devon County Cllrs by party. CON 40. LIB DEM 10. LAB 6. OTH 4. Labour and Others can't win here.

Today, 1st May, is polling day for Devon CC elections! 🔶

We're fielding a full slate of candidates across Exeter & the region. Hear from yours: exeterlibdems.org.uk/localwards/exeter-wards-devon

With your help, we can close the gap on the Tories & get the representation we deserve in Devon.

He was elected to Exeter City Council (ECC) for Duryard & St James in 2019 & reelected in 2023.

On ECC, he's led campaigns to get council funding for Citizens Advice Exeter, requested the govt rethink its Winter Fuel Allowance cuts & campaigned on planning issues to maintain community balance.

Cllr Michael Mitchell speaking with a local resident on their doorstep. Graphic reads "The best choice for Duryard & Pennsylvania on 1st May: Cllr Michael Mitchell. A hardworking local champion who always always puts Duryard & & Pennsylvania first. A former teacher and university lecturer who understands the issues facing public services. A local resident who listens to you, speaks up and votes in support the issues that matter to you. LIB DEM 149 CON 102 LAB 32. Labour are in third place. Number of county and district councillors per party across Devon. Only the Lib Dems can provide a fresh start for Devon. Michael MITCHELL Liberal Democrats X

Michael lives locally & has a proven record of standing up for local residents.

Whether it's fixing Devon’s pothole crisis, ensuring every child gets the best start in life, or working towards reliable bus services, local champion Michael is determined to get a fair deal for Exeter from Devon CC.

Letter from Will Aczel to Steve Race MP against Labour's proposed cuts to PIP disability benefits. For full alt text please visit https://www.exeterlibdems.org.uk/news/article/pipcuts

I know from friends, family & door-knocking, PIP disability benefits are already dangerously too hard to claim. Yet Labour propose cuts.

It's abhorrent to save from amongst our most vulnerable whilst inequality continues to rise.

I’ve written to Exeter’s MP to make the case & clarify his position:

Smashing stuff from Kerry and the team in North Devon!

Coupled with recent by-election wins in Exe Valley and Instow, I suspect there's plenty more of this to come in Devon County Council elections just two weeks away now 🔶

Our priorities for Devon CC focus on fixing the roads, sorting out SEND & addressing the Tories' financial mess, all with approach working in partnership with local communities & relevant authorities.

Find out who's standing up for your community: exeterlibdems.org.uk/localwards/exeter-wards-devon

Graphic showing the 9 Lib Dem Devon County Council candidates for Exeter, with their images in circles around a map of the DCC ward boundaries in Exeter. Make your voice heard with Exeter Lib Dems. Michael Mitchell for Duryard & Pennsylvania. Jamie Horner for Exwick & St Thomas. Will Aczel for St Sidwells & St James. Rod Ruffle for St Davids & Haven Banks. Vanessa Newcombe for Alphington & Cowick. Christine Campion for Pinhoe & Mincinglake. Paul Richards for Heavitree & Whipton Barton. Adrian Lock for Wonford & St Loyes. Philip Thomas for Wearside & Topsham. A fair deal for Devon. On 1st May in Devon vote Liberal Democrat.

Meet your Lib Dem Devon County Council candidates for #Exeter!

We're thrilled to announce a full slate of candidates not just across Exeter, but right across Devon & Cornwall. This means wherever you live in the region, you can vote Liberal Democrat for a fair deal.

Exeter Labour pledged a 35% affordable housing target a decade ago. These two planning decisions suggest they're happy to settle for 0%, out of 1,683 proposed units.

Major Exeter development approved with no affordable homes A waterside development in Exeter is given the green light despite concerns over affordability.

2wks, 2 planning decisions, 0 affordable homes for Exeter

Gifting developers all power won't solve our housing crisis

'Major project approved with no affordable homes'
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1ezd64jwwxo

'Affordable housing scrapped from city development'
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqldr77y60go.amp

Let’s not kid ourselves. Donald Trump is a threat to peace and prosperity around the world.

The UK will not be able to depend on the US to be a reliable partner on security, defence or the economy.

How do we deal with Donald Trump? We need to do it from a position of strength.

Join us Become a Liberal Democrat member today.

If you don’t like what Trump is doing in America don’t let Nigel Farage do it here - take action - join the Liberal Democrats today: libdems.org.uk/join

Since Labour slashed Exeter's street cleansing budget, regular sweeper teams are restricted to the centre.

This leaves many areas of our city neglected; fuelling build-up of litter, creating a hazard for wildlife, wheels, paws & people.

You can still report littering: exeter.gov.uk/clean-safe-c...

Instow (North Devon) Council By-Election Result:

🔶 LDM: 38.1% (New)
🌳 CON: 32.1% (+1.8)
➡️ RFM: 17.0% (New)
🙋 IND: 9.5% (New)
🌍 GRN: 3.3% (-11.1)

No INDs (-26.2, -15.9, -4.0) or LAB (-9.2) as previous.

Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.
Changes w/ 2023.

Graphic saying Will Aczel standing up for St Sidwells & St James. Will holds up a canvassing card that has Ayla the dog on it.

Growing up & living in St James, I'm honoured to stand to be our representative on Devon CC.

It’s a nice place to live - close to the centre, quirky architecture & real sense of community. I want to work with you to make St Sidwells & St James even better - where all our community can thrive. (1/4)

Screenshot of a post by Ed Davey on a pink-gold gradient background, with the Liberal Democrats logo at the bottom. Ed's post reads "People have had enough of Elon Musk interfering with our country’s democracy when he clearly knows nothing about Britain. It’s time to summon the US ambassador to ask why an incoming US official is suggesting the UK government should be overthrown. This dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric is further proof that the UK can’t rely on the Trump administration. It’s in our national interest to rebuild trade and security ties with our allies in Europe."

People have had enough of Elon Musk interfering with our country’s democracy when he clearly knows nothing about Britain.

It’s time to summon the US ambassador to ask why an incoming US official is suggesting the UK government should be overthrown.

Will Aczel holding up new year's cards in front of St James Park railway station

The contents of what's being delivered: new year's card of the cathedral, calendar, and letter

Happy New Year! 🌟

As a friend I met when out delivering this evening said: starting the year as I mean to go on!

Thank you to all those helping deliver in St James! Do get in touch if you'd be up for getting stuck in too in the run-up to 1st May 2025 Devon County Council elections 📣

Roads, renewal and reform - a review of politics in Devon in 2024 Local government in Devon is now on the cusp of major changes.

A tale of woe and financial mismanagement from the Tories running DCC...

And they want to delay the local elections to stay in power even longer!

BBC News - Roads, renewal and reform - Devon politics in 2024
www.bbc.com/news/article...

‪This ban isn’t just cruel; it’s a reckless, politically motivated attack on young trans people’s right to healthcare. It endangers lives, ignores medical evidence, and undermines devolution.‬

‪We cannot — and will not — stay silent while trans lives are at risk!‬

Exeter Citizen article 'Community groups win...' 8/17 community groups who applied received £15.75k

Graph from Exeter Observer article showing decline in Exeter CC community grants budget from £425k in 2021 down to £75k in 2024

The latest Exeter Citizen neglects how much Labour cut community grants: by 83% in past 3yrs.

Community initiatives are invaluable. By cutting this vital support Labour are making it harder for them to succeed, reducing opportunities to improve Exeter.

Source: exeterobserver.org/2023/05/03/e...

A pretty grim sight at the disused garage site on Vic Street this weekend , now with the EH team and hoping for some enforcement to the landowner to keep it clean, tidy and in good order

UK ministers support bill to crack down on puppy smuggling Bill aims to strengthen animal welfare by closing legal loopholes around imports of dogs, cats and ferrets

Good to see the government supporting Lib Dem 🔶 MP and veterinary surgeon @dannychambers.bsky.social's private member's bill, which aims to crack down on the pet-smuggling trade 👇

www.theguardian.com/world/2024/n...

4 Devon Lib Dem MPs + Jennie the dog!

Great hearing from our much enlarged group of MPs at regional conference today here in Exeter, including the right honourable Jennie! 🐾