Labour loses control of Exeter after 14 years3 hours agoMartyn Oates,South West political editor, ExeterandGeorge Thorpe,DevonBBCLabour has lost overall control of Exeter City Council after 14 years in power.While the party remains the largest group at the authority, it lost five councillors from the previous time the seats were up for election in 2022, taking its overall number down to 18 – two below the majority mark.The Green Party gained three seats to move to 10 seats overall and remains the second largest group at the authority while the Liberal Democrats gained a seat – taking their total to five.Reform UK ended the night with three seats while the Conservatives lost a seat to have one councillor at the authority. The Independents remained at two councillors. “However in upper St Thomas there were many votes for the Lib Dems. “But we knew that the lower part of the district was very strong, and we’ve focused on it. People on the doorsteps were super friendly, super Green, and this means they’ve voted, which is amazing. Listen to the latest news in Devon. Labour held on to Alphington and Exwick. “I find the voting in Exeter quite interesting,” he said. “It hasn’t been as people expected – a rout for Labour in Exeter. “I still regarded the vote as a reasonable vote of confidence, with 18 seats moving the council forward. Bialyk told John Acres, on BBC Radio Devon that Labour would be putting forward proposals for the leadership of the authority at the annual meeting on 20 May. He said he believed the different parties have worked together in the past. “Yes, we differ on things but I think we have a common interest to provide the best thing for Exeter,” he said.Sebastian Stanwell-Wise, the Conservative candidate in the Duryard & St James, said he thought there would be a period of fewer councillors from his party but remained optimistic for the future.Stanwell-Wise, a first-year University of Exeter student, came last in the ward with 117 votes as Kevin Mitchell held his seat for the Lib Dems.He said: “I think we’ve just hit a turbulence and we need a restructure from where we are. Kemi Badenoch, I believe, is leading us in the right direction and redefining our identity. Follow BBC Devon on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.More on this storyResults declared in some English council elections, as Reform gains seats and Labour suffers lossesRelated internet linksExeter City CouncilEngland local elections 2026DevonExeter City CouncilExeter
