Devon Conservative leader James McInnes to step down ahead of May elections

Devon County Council’s Conservative leader, James McInnes, has announced that he will not seek re-election in May, paving the way for new leadership within the party.

Cllr McInnes, who represents Hatherleigh and Chagford, took on the leadership role in May last year following the retirement of long-standing leader Cllr John Hart, who served for 15 years. With a political career spanning two decades, Cllr McInnes was first elected to Devon County Council in 2005 and has remained a key figure in local government.

His announcement was made during a full council meeting recently, convened to discuss the upcoming financial year’s budget. Reflecting on his tenure, Cllr McInnes described it as an "honour" to serve as leader but acknowledged the challenges faced during his short term.

“If a week is a long time in politics, then seven months since the general election is an eternity,” he said. “It seems like every week there has been a major new announcement affecting local government and the services we provide to residents.”

During his leadership, Cllr McInnes has been vocal on several key issues affecting Devon. He strongly opposed the removal of the winter fuel payment for vulnerable elderly residents and backed Devon’s family farmers against Labour’s proposed inheritance tax changes, which he argued could force some to lose generational homes and land.

He also expressed concerns about rising costs for small businesses, a crucial sector in Devon’s economy, warning that the government’s decision to increase National Insurance contributions for employers could stifle growth in hospitality and other local industries.

On social care reform, he criticised the government’s decision to delay long-term solutions, stating: “Once again, adult social care reform has been kicked into the long grass with a review that will be published just months before the next general election.”

Cllr McInnes’s decision comes shortly after Devon’s request to postpone the May county council elections was refused by the government. In January, Devon’s Conservative group voted in favour of delaying the elections for a year to align with potential local government reorganisation plans.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner had approved delays for nine councils but rejected Devon’s request, confirming that elections must proceed as planned. The decision means Devon voters will head to the polls in May despite ongoing discussions about the county’s future governance structure.

Despite stepping down, Cllr McInnes welcomed the recent confirmation of the Devon/Torbay Combined County Authority (CCA), which will grant the region greater decision-making powers over adult education, transport, and local investment. However, uncertainty remains over how this new structure will align with the government’s wider devolution plans.

Currently, Devon has 11 councils, but under proposed reforms, this could be reduced to three larger authorities in an effort to streamline services and cut costs.

With Cllr McInnes set to step down, the Devon Conservatives will soon elect a new leader to guide the party into the May elections and beyond.