Exeter Lib Dems welcome U-turn on local elections

Local Lib Dem councillor, Cllr Kevin Mitchell, has called on the Government to back Liberal Democrat plans to stop the Government ever cancelling elections “on a whim” again, after ministers finally U-turned on undemocratic plans to cancel swathes of local elections, including in Exeter.

Thirty council elections will now go ahead following the announcement, including those for Exeter City Council.

Cllr Kevin Mitchell, one of your Liberal Democrat councillors in Exeter, has backed his party’s amendment to change the law, which would prevent the government from cancelling elections in a similar way again. The change would mean that the public’s voice is protected by statute, not left to the whims of ministers.

Cllr Mitchell was preparing to force a by-election to ensure that his electorate in Duryard and St James had a right to vote, despite no other party appearing to be willing to do so.

Cllr Kevin Mitchell said:

“The Liberal Democrats have fought tooth and nail to stop this stitch-up and ministers have been forced into a humiliating U-turn.

“Voters across Exeter will finally have the chance to have their say in May, having had their democratic right shamefully taken away from them. Liberal Democrats will deliver the real change people are crying out for with our bold plan to fix the NHS and care, cut energy bills and grow our economy. Locally residents will also now have the chance to determine if they want Labour to continue running our City.

“We cannot allow the Government to cancel elections on a whim ever again. That is why the Liberal Democrats have brought forward an amendment to change the law, stripping the government of this power and ensuring that the public’s voice is protected by statute, not left to the whims of ministers. Starmer should back these plans immediately.”

Cllr Michael Mitchell, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Exeter City Council said:

“This latest Labour government U-turn provides an opportunity at last for the electors in May to remove Labour from power in Exeter.”