Devon has a new political party

They're called Independents for Exmouth

A new political group is putting forward its first-ever candidate in an upcoming by-election in East Devon.

Independents for Exmouth said Lou Doliczny would be the party’s first-ever candidate as it competes on the ballot paper for votes in the town council by-election for the Halsdon ward.

The full candidate list for the Exmouth Town Council by-election consists of Paula Burtoft (Conservative), Lou Doliczny (Independent), Suzanne Isaacs (Liberal Democrat), and Tony Quinn (Reform UK).

The party, which launched this month, has been formed of three existing independent members on Exmouth Town Council – Dan Wilson, Nicky Nicholls and Louise Venables.

Even if Independents for Exmouth won the seat, though, it wouldn’t fundamentally change the make-up of the council.

At present, the Liberal Democrats have nine seats, followed by the Conservatives with six. The existing cohort of independent councillors amounts to five members, while the Greens have three town councillors in Exmouth and one Labour.

This means existing independent members Aurora Bailey and Ian Kirvan have not joined Independents for Exmouth.

The by-election will take place on Thursday 4 December, and residents will also have an opportunity to vote for the person they want to hold the Halsdon seat on East Devon District Council too.

Those candidates are: Paula Burtoft (Conservative), Fran McElhone (Liberal Democrat), Tony Quinn (Reform UK), and Tony Woodward (Green Party).