It was a tough night for Labour in Plymouth and across the country. I’m not going to gloss over it. A message was sent and there is no sugar coating that. My job is to listen to the people of Plymouth and act on what you are telling me.
I want to thank all those who stood, putting yourself up for election is not easy. My sincere thanks to the councillors who lost for their many years of service. At the election count last night I also welcomed the new councillors for our community, whatever their party, Plymouth always comes first for me.
My focus remains on Plymouth and getting things done for the city I love and call home.
That means real, visible change: the new Community Diagnostic Centre opens in a few months, the brand new Emergency Department at Derriford is under construction, work to spend the £20 million for Devonport I secured from Pride in Place is about to kick up a gear with the announcement of the new chair shortly. In the city centre, the first of the new 10,000 new homes have begun construction at Bath Street and the reduction in energy bills kicked in a few weeks back. You know I will always back those who serve and those who have served and there’s more announcements on the horizon for our city that will create new jobs and new capabilities for our forces.
That’s what drives me every day. Making sure the people of Plymouth get the investment, jobs and opportunities that our city deserves.
To everyone who voted yesterday, thank you. People want politics that feels urgent, grounded and focused on the things that matter in your day to day life.
Plymouth is finally getting the kind of support we should have had years ago. But I’m not pretending the job is anywhere near done. I’ll keep giving everything I’ve got to fight for the kind of Plymouth where people feel proud of our city, secure in their future and positive about what comes next.
