Labour hails 'fantastic' city result - and calls for a general election

PLYMOUTH'S Labour politicians have hailed a "fantastic" result for the party after it tightened its grip on the city council - and said it is time for a general election. Labour won 15 of the 19 seats available in the local election, with nine of those new victories.

- DANIEL CLARK

The Conservatives won just one seat - Eggbuckland, which was the last to declare.

It means Labour now has 42 seats after gaining councillors in St Budeaux, Budshead, Plymstock Dunstone, Plymstock Radford, Ham, Honicknowle, Compton, Peverell and Southway.

A jubilant Labour leader Tudor Evans said the result was a disaster for the Conservatives, who won just one seat, and said the result showed a public appetite for a general election - and a Labour government.

Cllr Evans said: "A fantastic night, one of the best we have had. Last year we gained nine, this year we have gained nine, so 18 gains in two years is fantastic.

"Significant tonight is this is the worst result the Conservatives have ever had in Plymouth. To win just one ward, even in the wipeout of 1995 they still won three seats in different wards.

"What does it all add up to? People in Plymouth have had enough of the Tories, they have had enough of (Prime Minister Rishi) Sunak, they've had enough of (Moor View Tory MP Johnny) Mercer, they have had enough of the Tory government making life harder for them, not easier for them, not facing up to the problems."