He is a worthy inheritor of Claire’s mantle

Paul Arnott, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Exmouth & Exeter East, is not only the tactical choice to beat the Tories, backed by the remarkable Claire Wright who came second last time, in an area where Labour have never been even second and the Lib Dems have far more votes in recent council elections. He’s also a formidable campaigner, skilled politician and generous human being, as I know from working with him in East Devon politics over the last decade.

Paul, who has lived in East Devon and Exeter most of his adult life, first got involved about 15 years ago, angered by the obvious corruption of the East Devon council after decades of Tory rule. Along with a few others, he set up the East Devon Alliance to challenge the abuse of planning powers, and turned this into one of the most successful Independent electoral challengers in English local government, which by 2020 had removed the Tories. Paul then took on the challenge of constructing an alternative coalition to reform and open up the council. At the same time, he actively backed Claire’s amazing campaigns.

Paul’s politics are driven by the need for justice and to challenge the dire effects of national Tory rule, especially on the NHS, to which he owes his own life – Paul was always there when we were fighting to save the community hospitals in 2017, and he was alongside me when they threatened to demolish part of Seaton Hospital late last year. 

Paul’s national politics always inclined towards the Lib Dems and mine towards Labour, but we agreed on what needed to be done and Paul, more than anyone, made things happen. His style is consensual and inclusive – on the council, he brought together Independents, the Lib Dems, the Greens, and at times Labour. As a passionate supporter of Proportional Representation – which would make Labour and Green votes count in our area, but which national Labour has blocked – he is backed by the cross-party East Devon Compass group which campaigns for this.

Paul will want to represent everyone in the constituency and especially all those who are looking for change after 14 years of Tory rule. He’s not a tribal Lib Dem – he only joined the party after Richard Foord’s by-election victory proved that they were once again the national challengers in East Devon. He will stand up for local people and for what is right, in the end – I am sure – despite the party line.

However unlike Labour MPs who will be whipped to support Keir Starmer right or wrong, Paul will be able to challenge his government – for example, over increasing cooperation with Europe and the odious two-child rule – as well as supporting them on many issues. The phrase ‘local champion’ has been discredited by Tory chancers, but Paul would be the real thing. He is a worthy inheritor of Claire’s mantle, and the best person to stop  Exmouth & Exeter East being saddled with an irrelevant Tory MP for five more years.

Martin Shaw is a former Independent county councillor and leading campaigner for community hospitals.