Conservatives ousted from County Hall as Lib Dems become biggest party

A massive power shift has ended a 16-year Conservative reign at County Hall, with the Liberal Democrats becoming the largest single party, ahead of second-placed Reform UK.

The Lib Dems, who had nine county councillors going into the election, have emerged with 27, giving them the most members of any party in Devon.

With no councillors in Devon prior to the poll, Reform UK is now the second-largest party in the county, with 18 members.

However, the result means the Lib Dems are short of an overall majority — which would have required 31 councillors — suggesting they may need the support of other parties to wield control.

Conservative representation has plummeted, with the party now holding only 7 seats, down from 40 prior to the vote.

This makes them the third-largest party, just ahead of the six Green councillors and two independent members.

A host of Liberal Democrat councillors who serve on district councils across Devon have gained seats on Devon County Council, while Labour, which had largely dominated the Exeter-based seats on the county council with six members, has been entirely wiped out in favour of Reform UK and Green members.

Andrew Leadbetter held Wearside and Topsham for the Conservatives in the city-based division.