Youngest West Devon councillor to stand as parliamentary candidate for Labour

One of the youngest district councillors in Devon has been selected to stand as Labour’s parliamentary candidate for the new constituency of Torridge and Tavistock at the general election.

The party said Isabel Saxby, 22, brings “a fresh perspective, representing a new generation of leadership”.

Miss Saxby was elected to serve the Bere Ferrers ward on West Devon Borough Council last year, after missing out by one vote in the 2021 by-election. She is the only Labour member on the council.

She said she is “humbled and grateful” by the overwhelming support and trust shown to her by members of Torridge and Tavistock as their Labour candidate for the upcoming general election.

“It’s an incredible privilege to be chosen to represent the very community that has shaped me and that I’ve called home all my life.

“As someone who has grown up in the area, I understand the challenges and opportunities facing our rural community”.

“I am committed to championing the interests of our farming community and ensuring that every resident has access to the opportunities they deserve. We can create jobs and drive sustainable growth right here in Torridge and Tavistock. Our area has so much potential, and I want to ensure that we are taking advantage of that.”

Miss Saxby runs her own marketing and business development business and  recently campaigned to get an edge-of-town convenience store for her isolated community.

She said families from all backgrounds face significant challenges under the current government, with issues ranging from access to housing and healthcare to raw sewage in rivers and along coasts.

“As someone who has chosen to build my life and business here, I am passionate about making our constituency a better place to live, work, and thrive.

“I’ve rolled up my sleeves and I’m ready to continue working for our community.”

The new Torridge and Tavistock constituency will replace Torridge and West Devon, represented since 2005 by Conservative Sir Geoffrey Cox.

The only change to the new constituency will be the exclusion of the West Devon Borough wards of Buckland Monachorum and Burrator which will be transferred to South West Devon.

Sir Geoffrey was re-elected at the last general election in 2019 with a 24,992 majority and has announced he will be standing again.

Other candidates for the Torridge and Tavistock seat, announced so far, are Phil Hutty for the Liberal Democrats, Judy Maciejowska for the Green Party, Philip Peers for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Andrew Jackson for Reform UK.