Liberal Democrats hail rise to become biggest party in Devon but Greens could hold key to power

The Liberal Democrats have hailed their rise to become the biggest party in County Hall, overturning 16 years of Conservative rule.

The party secured 27 seats out of 60, making it the largest single party but not giving it an overall majority.
Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Caroline Leaver, who held her Barnstaple South seat, said the “numbers were clear that the people of Devon have put their trust in us”.
“I’m so very proud to have been elected and it is a privilege, and we will do the very best to serve the people of Devon,” she said.
Asked whether her party would create a formal coalition with another party to help create an overall majority, she said it was “too early to speculate”.
But the leader of the Green Party group, Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, who held her Totnes and Dartington seat, thought her party could be key for the new administration.
“Multiplying our numbers by three – from two councillors to six – is excellent and it means a real opportunity to be much more effective as a group, and I think we will be invited to negotiations with the Lib Dems so see if we can be part of the group that forms the governing administration,” she said.
“I absolutely think parties that can work together should, and we have shown this in the South Hams where I’m on the executive even though it is a Lib Dem majority.”
Reform UK’s Councillor Neil Stevens, who now represented the Alphington and Cowick division, said his party had hoped to take control of County Hall but nevertheless cheered his party’s result from a standing start to 18 councillors.
“People said they wanted change and we will make that happen,” he said.
“I had a brilliant team behind me for the campaign but the real work starts now.
“My brother, Tony Stevens, is now the councillor for Exwick & St Thomas, and we’re both workaholics so we will dedicate our time to our communities.”
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, who retained his Wearside and Topsham seat for the Conservatives, said he was “disappointed” with his party’s result.
“We’ve gone down to seven councillors from 40 and I pay tribute to all the good councillors who have lost their seats,” he said.
“But there has been a seismic change in the political landscape, and while we came close in lots of seats we didn’t make it over the line.”
Cllr Leadbetter acknowledged that Reform UK had “performed well”.
“I think Reform cost us some seats, but the Liberal Democrats have done well too and so I wish them good luck.
“It is disappointing to be down to seven councillors, but like always, we will rise from the ashes.”
Going into the election, the Conservatives had 40 of the 60 seats in County Hall.
However, now the Liberal Democrats have 27, followed by Reform with 18, then the Conservatives with seven.
The Greens have six and there are two independent members.
Devon County Council’s chief executive Donna Manson said 80 per cent of the councillors were new to the administration.
While some are new to being a councillor altogether, several Liberal Democrats who hold seats on district councils in Devon are now also members of the county council.