'Unity’ pledge from Lib Dems ahead of council elections

'We want to make the council run by and for you'

Liberal Democrats have pledged to ‘unite and strengthen’ communities across Exeter if they make gains in the city council elections on May 7.

The party launched its manifesto for the polls at the weekend, saying: “Unlike other parties who sow the seeds of division, Lib Dems seek to unite and strengthen our communities. We want to make the council run by and for you.”

The party is fielding candidates in every one of the 13 seats being contested, and believes it can achieve significant gains.

Its online statement said: “These elections could well see the end of the Labour majority on Exeter City Council. The Liberal Democrats stand to offer hope, stability and experience of power, over the chaos entailed by other parties.”

Eight of Labour’s current 22 council seats are up for grabs at the polls, and one leading pundit said last week that it could struggle to hold on to its overall hold on the council.

The Lib Dems currently have four councillors, one of whom is having to stand for re-election.

The manifesto contains a number of pledges, including one on housing which says: “Following the lead of Lib Dem-led Teignbridge District Council, Exeter Lib Dems would build more affordable and environmentally-friendly council homes, prioritising brownfield sites. We would also seek to protect and improve our current housing stock and ensure the council works closely with other social housing providers.”

The manifesto also contains pledges on the environment, recycling, council tax and safer streets, on which it says: “No one should have to think twice about walking on our streets, yet this is the reality and unfortunately experienced by many on a daily basis.

“A joined-up approach is required across all levels of government.”

Each of the city’s 13 wards will return one councillor after the May 7 polls, with the exception of Heavitree, which will return two. This is as a result of one of its Green councillors standing down separately from the election process.

The full list of candidates standing in the 13 wards is:

Alphington – FINDLAY Lucy Jane, Labour and Co-operative Party; LUSCOMBE Kayleigh Michelle Suzanne, The Conservative Party Candidate; PALMER Jayden Simon, Reform UK; PICKIN JJ, Liberal Democrat; WOTTON Greg, Green Party Candidate

Duryard and St. James – HAWKE Jonathan Michael, Labour Party; HODGE David John, Reform UK; ISHAKOGLU Mithat, Green Party Candidate; MITCHELL Kevin John, Liberal Democrat; STANWELL-WISE Sebastian, The Conservative Party Candidate

Exwick – GILLETT Lee Matthew, Reform UK; HORNER Jamie Liam, Liberal Democrat; KNOTT Paul Graeme, Labour and Co-operative Party; LEGESSE Kalkidan, Green Party Candidate; LUSCOMBE David, The Conservative Party Candidate

Heavitree (two councillors to be elected) – BEER Tina Rose, Reform UK; BROCK Philip John, Liberal Democrat; MUTTON Dave, Labour Party; NEW Katherine Helen Judy, The Conservative Party Candidate; NEWBERY Jordan, Independent; NORRIS Lisa Jane, Reform UK; SMITH Stella, Green Party Candidate; SUTTON Rachel Helen, Labour Party; TERRY Helen, Green Party Candidate; TRUDGEON Colin John, The Conservative Party Candidate; WILLIAMS Nigel David, Liberal Democrat.

Mincinglake and Whipton – AYRES Martin, Green Party Candidate; CASEMORE Steve, Labour and Co-operative Party; PAYNE Anthony John, Reform UK; PAYNE Michael Geoffrey,  Liberal Democrat; THOMPSON David John, The Conservative Party Candidate.

Newtown and St. Leonard`s – CHELVANAYAGAM Bernadette, Green Party Candidate; PYE Jonny, Liberal Democrat; SMITH Ruth, The Conservative Party Candidate; VIZARD Matthew James, Labour Party; WESTLAKE Jo, Reform UK.

Pennsylvania – ACZEL Will, Liberal Democrat; BAKER Gill, Green Party Candidate; BATTERSHILL Michael Stephen, Reform UK; BLACK Paula Joan, Labour and Co-operative Party; HANNAFORD Rob, The Conservative Party Candidate; HATCHER Myles Jefferson, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition.

Pinhoe – ALLEN Mark, Green Party Candidate; BALDWIN Ian Anthony, The Conservative Party Candidate; CAMPION Christine Anne, Liberal Democrats; MESSER Ashton Michael, Reform UK; WOOD Duncan, Labour and Co-operative Party.

Priory – ASVACHIN Marina Yvette, Labour Party; NEWBY Rob, The Conservative Party Candidate; THOMAS Philip Alexander, Liberal Democrat; VICKERS Jack David, Green Party Candidate; WILLIAMS Nicholas, Reform UK.

St. David`s – AL-SAKET Yasmine, The Conservative Party Candidate; CLOW Susan, Reform UK; CURNOCK Charles Anthony, Liberal Democrat; LELLIOTT Rose Alexandra, Labour and Co-operative Party; RAPPERT Brian, Green Party Candidate.

St. Loye`s – COLLACOTT Joan Marilyn, The Conservative Party Candidate; JHAVERI Laila, Labour Party; OWEN Christopher John Lambert, Reform UK; RICHARDS Paul Stephen, Liberal Democrats; WHIPPLE Chloe, Green Party Candidate

St. Thomas – COCKBURN Robert-James Stuart, Reform UK; NEWCOMBE Vanessa, Liberal Democrat; REED Jack, Green Party Candidate; STONE Caroline Elizabeth, The Conservative Party Candidate; WRIGHT Laura Charis Adelaide, Labour and Co-operative Party.

Topsham – COOKSON James Elie, Labour Party; DAVIES Sue, Reform UK; GAINSFORD Tim, Liberal Democrats; KEEN Ann Barbara, Green Party Candidate; THOMPSON Cynthia, The Conservative Party Candidate.