Election U-turn welcomed as parties start making cases for votes in city

NEWS that Exeter's May council elections will be going ahead after all has been roundly welcomed.

- by GUY HENDERSON Local Democracy Reporter

The Government's U-turn was announced last week in the face of a legal challenge by Reform UK.

Exeter's Labour leader Councillor Phil Bialyk had successfully applied to the Government to call off the planned polls in 13 of the council’s 39 wards in May, saying resources would be better used preparing for the forthcoming local government reorganisation (LGR).

He said that by not having the elections the council would save £250,000 and officers’ time could be better used preparing for LGR, which will see the end of Devon's two-tier system with the county council and eight underlying districts carrying out different services. Westminster wants everywhere to have fewer, larger councils that look after all services in their area.

But the Government’s shock U-turn on February 16 - taken on “legal advice” - means council officers must now start preparing for the polls again.

Devon County Council's Liberal Democrat leader Julian Brazil said the county authority was pleased by the news. He said: “You should not mess with democracy. The people of Devon have a right to decide who represents them.

“We took a clear, principled stance. This decision is a victory for democracy. I am proud to be part of a council which opposed the cancellation unanimously.”

The Green Party in Exeter has also welcomed the U-turn.