Labour-led city aims to 'hit the ground running'

MP Luke Pollard said he wants to build more affordable housing in Plymouth city centre

As of 5 July, Plymouth turned predominantly red with two Labour MPs and a Labour-led council.

Labour MP Fred Thomas gained the Moor View’s constituency from Conservatives' Johnny Mercer, while MP Luke Pollard held his seat for Sutton Harbour and Devonport.

On Saturday, the morning after the election results, Mr Pollard said he wanted to tackle the “cost-of-living-crisis immediately”, while Mr Thomas said he wanted to get "knuckling down".

Mr Pollard said: "Too many people are struggling with their finances because of high utility bills, so a proper windfall tax on those giant profits to bring down those electricity and gas prices I think has to be a priority."

Plymouth is now Labour-led city in its city council and two MPs

Mr Pollard received 20,795 votes, Reform's Peter Gold received 7,467 and Gareth Streeter for Conservative received 6,873.

Asked whether he had a minister role heading his way, Mr Pollard said he had not had a phone call yet.

He said: "As the prime minister starts assembling his team, it would be a privilege to serve. I have served in the opposition as a shadow minister, but there is a big job of work to do whoever gets appointed.

"I want to see us hit the ground running, start to deliver on the change that people so emphatically voted for."

Mr Pollard also laid out some of his own local priorities, saying: "I want to see us build the affordable homes that we desperately need as a city that includes building more in Plymouth city centre."

MP Fred Thomas said he was looking forward to knuckling down

Mr Thomas, who is due to attend Westminster on Sunday, said he had been working “closely” with Mr Pollard over the last year as Labour candidates, as well as for the campaign.

He explained how it had been "really great" to speak to the former shadow armed forces minister about defence matters.

Mr Thomas added: "I think we will work really closely as two MPs, also closely with the Labour-led city council in Plymouth.

"I'm really looking forward to knuckling down as quickly as possible."

Mr Mercer, who was the Conservative minister for veterans' affairs, received 12,061 votes, while Mr Thomas received 17,665 votes.

The South West Devon constituency, which covers the Plympton and Plymstock area, was won by Conservative Rebecca Smith.