Liberal Democrats celebrate nail-biting first-time win in St Loyes, and improved vote share across Exeter City Council, as Labour lose overall control
Reflecting on the results of Exeter City Council elections across all 13 wards, Exeter Liberal Democrats are proud to have two candidates elected, Cllr Kevin Mitchell – who held Duryard and St James, and Cllr Paul Richards – who won the St Loyes ward following a full recount, making him the first Liberal Democrat to represent the ward.
With a vote share which increased by 1.4% across the Exeter City Council area, Exeter Liberal Democrats are also delighted with the display from a full slate of candidates.
In St Loyes, candidates and campaigners were made to work for the result, with Cllr Richards winning the ward, following a full recount, by a margin of 5 votes from the Reform UK candidate, and 9 votes ahead of the Conservative Party candidate. That result brought to an end a 9 year stretch which saw St Loyes return only Conservative Councillors. Across St Loyes, voters saw the Liberal Democrats, and Paul Richards, as a local champion, standing up against Reform and the Conservatives, and promising community-focused representation at the Guildhall.
A local postman, Cllr Richards will take his mandate into what looks set to be a shortened term on the City Council, as the Labour Government in Westminster seeks to restructure local Government in Devon. With so much left to be determined in that regard, Cllr Richards will be able to use his position to advocate on behalf of the people of St Loyes, and stand up for their interests in shaping the future of Devon’s councils.
Alongside Cllr Richards, Cllr Kevin Mitchell extended his 23-year-long service to Exeter City Council, including 2 years as Lord Mayor, by successfully defending his seat in Duryard and St James, maintaining a 100% Liberal Democrat ward in the face of concerted Green Party efforts. Cllr Mitchell narrowly missed out on his best ever vote total, in a contest marked by exceptionally high turnout – something mirrored across almost all of the 13 contests in the city.
Cllr Mitchell will take this renewed mandate forward, continuing in his excellent work representing the people of Duryard and St James, alongside co-Councillors for his ward, Michael Mitchell and Tammy Palmer.
Elsewhere in the city, former Parliamentary Candidate Will Aczel surged the Liberal Democrat vote in the Pennsylvania ward, achieving a commendable second place, and proving that Liberal Democrats can fight across all corners of Exeter. Across the river in St Thomas, veteran campaigner Vanessa Newcombe solidified strong Liberal Democrat representation, running a hard-fought campaign to join Cllr Adrian Fullam, and holding off Reform, alongside leapfrogging Labour – who slipped to 4th in the seat.
Fielding a full slate of candidates across all 14 vacancies, Liberal Democrats again marked their commitment to the city, and the wider South West. Across all candidates, the party was able to see their vote share improve across the city by 1.4%, building on an 11% vote share improvement in the 2024 General Election, and strong results in the Devon County Council elections.
With 5 Councillors now on Exeter City Council, the Liberal Democrats will use their numbers to press for a City Hall which listens to communities across Exeter, who feel let down by a complacent Labour administration. With Labour now losing out on a majority for the first time in nearly 15 years, Liberal Democrats will look to use their increased Councillor numbers to affect meaningful change in Exeter.
Speaking after the results were declared, Cllr Michael Mitchell, Lib Dem Group Leader on Exeter City Council, said: “The experienced Liberal Democrat team of councillors will work to ensure that the people of Exeter and the needs of local communities are put at the heart of the work of the council in its final two years.years."
Limk to the Exeter results by ward: exeter.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/elections-and-voting/2026-exeter-elections/