Photo: David Smith · CC BY-SA 2.0Exmouth and Exeter East was decided by 121 votes in 2024
Exeter is run by Exeter City Council and Devon County Council. No party holds a majority on either Exeter City Council or Devon County Council. Most of Exeter is in Exeter (MP Steve Race, Labour); 20% of residents are in Exmouth and Exeter East (MP David Reed, Conservative).
£2,495
Band D, a year, the middle band every council sets its tax from.
Where it goes →How Exeter’s politics has changed since 2021
No majority on Exeter City Council
No party holds a majority on Exeter City Council. Labour, the largest group, holds 19 of its 39 seats as elected, one short of the 20 needed (it held 23 before the May 2026 election). The Greens hold 10, the Liberal Democrats 5, the Conservatives 2, Reform UK 2 and independents 1. Who’s in charge ↓
Devon changed hands in 2025
Devon County Council, which runs schools, social care and roads, went from a Conservative majority (39 of 60 seats in 2021) to no overall control at the May 2025 election: the Liberal Democrats won 27 of 60 seats. Devon ↓
The 2026 vote
Across Exeter’s wards, the Greens took 32.7%, Reform UK took 22.3% and Labour took 22.1% of votes in May 2026. In 2024, the Greens had 20.4%. How Exeter has voted ↓
A close seat
David Reed (Conservative) won Exmouth and Exeter East by 121 votes in July 2024, 0.24% of votes cast: the 7th-narrowest result of 543 in England. Parliament ↓
Written from the data on this page: Democracy Club results since May 2021, the UK Parliament Members API and MHCLG council tax.
No party has a majority on either council
Seats by party as elected. A party needs 20 of Exeter’s 39 or 31 of Devon’s 60 seats to run the council alone.
- Labour19−4
- Green10+3
- Liberal Democrat5+1
- Conservative2−1
- Reform UK2+1
- Independent1no change
Change against the council before the 7 May 2026 election.
- Liberal Democrat27+18
- Reform UK18+18
- Conservative7−32
- Green6+4
- Independent2−1
- Labour0−7
Seats are counted from election results: each ward’s most recent winners until its seats are filled. Councillors who have since changed party or resigned aren’t reflected, and which parties lead the council, and who is leader, comes from the council itself.
Results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), elections since May 2021; seats per ward from its EveryElection.
Two tiers of council, no parish tier
Exeter has two tiers of council: the county runs the big services, the district the local ones.
Bins and recycling, planning, housing, environmental health, leisure, and collecting council tax.
Website ↗Schools, social care, roads and transport, libraries and waste disposal.
Website ↗Transport, skills and regeneration across several council areas.
Who to ask
From GOV.UK’s “Understand how your council works”: in two-tier areas the district or borough runs local services and the county the big ones.
All of Exeter is unparished: there is no parish or town council, so the council runs local matters itself and no parish precept is added to the bill.
Councils from ONS lookups (wards and councils May 2026, parishes 2025), names and websites from GOV.UK’s local council finder; parish councils from MHCLG’s 2026–27 list of precepting parishes.
From the council to Westminster
Every elected tier that speaks for Exeter, from the most recent elections.
- 1Exeter City Council13 wards · 39 councillorsLabour 19 · Green 10 · Liberal Democrat 5 · Conservative 2 · Reform UK 2 · Independent 1 · all 39
- 2Devon County Council6 divisions · 6 councillorsThomas Morgan RichardsonAndrew Robert LeadbetterTony StevensEdward HillAngie NashNeil Stevens
- 3Police and crime commissionerDevon & Cornwall Police · elected May 2024Alison Hernandez
- 4House of CommonsSplit between 2 constituencies
Party colours are neutral on purpose: they tell parties apart and aren’t the parties’ own. Tap an MP’s name for their contact page on parliament.uk.
39 councillors for 13 wards
Wards with at least 2% of the town’s residents, or half their own inside it. Each shows who won its most recent elections, newest first, until its seats are filled.
- Kevin MitchellLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Tammy PalmerLiberal Democrat · May 2024
- Michael Norman MitchellLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Bernadette ChelvanayagamGreen · May 2026
- Lynn Susan WetenhallGreen · May 2024
- Andy KetchinGreen · May 2023
- Gill BakerGreen · May 2026
- Zoë Jane HughesLabour · May 2024
- Martyn SnowLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Brian RappertGreen · May 2026
- James John BanyardGreen · May 2024
- Diana MooreGreen · May 2023
- Jack ReedGreen · May 2026
- Deborah Charlotte DarlingLabour and Co-operative · May 2024
- Adrian Alan FullamLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Duncan WoodLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Jakir HussainLabour and Co-operative · May 2024
- Jenna Mollie MillerLabour · May 2023
- Paul Graeme KnottLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Philip Michael BialykLabour and Co-operative · May 2024
- Susannah PatrickLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Paul Stephen RichardsLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Anne Margaret JobsonConservative · May 2024
- Alison Jane SheridanConservative · May 2023
- Stella SmithGreen · May 2026
- Helen TerryGreen · May 2026
- Lucy HaighIndependent · May 2024
- Anthony John PayneReform UK · May 2026
- Liz PoleLabour · May 2024
- Ruth Travis WilliamsLabour · May 2023
- Nicholas WilliamsReform UK · May 2026
- Tony WardleLabour · May 2024
- Jane BegleyLabour · May 2023
- Lucy Jane FindlayLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Rob HardingLabour · May 2024
- Yvonne AtkinsonLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
The other 1 wards
- James Elie CooksonLabour · May 2026
- Gemma Lorraine RolstoneLabour · May 2024
- Matthew John WilliamsLabour · May 2023
Show as a table, with Devon County Council’s 6 divisions (6 councillors)
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duryard and St Jamesall in Exeter · 15,148 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Kevin MitchellTammy PalmerMichael Norman Mitchell | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Newtown and St Leonard'sall in Exeter · 10,851 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Bernadette ChelvanayagamLynn Susan WetenhallAndy Ketchin | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Pennsylvaniaall in Exeter · 10,535 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Gill BakerZoë Jane HughesMartyn Snow | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| St David'sall in Exeter · 10,523 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Brian RappertJames John BanyardDiana Moore | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| St Thomasall in Exeter · 9,847 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Jack ReedDeborah Charlotte DarlingAdrian Alan Fullam | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Pinhoeall in Exeter · 9,584 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Duncan WoodJakir HussainJenna Mollie Miller | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Exwickall in Exeter · 9,425 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Paul Graeme KnottPhilip Michael BialykSusannah Patrick | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| St Loyesall in Exeter · 9,383 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Paul Stephen RichardsAnne Margaret JobsonAlison Jane Sheridan | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Heavitreeall in Exeter · 9,250 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024 | 3 | Stella SmithHelen TerryLucy Haigh | May 2026, May 2024 |
| Mincinglake and Whiptonall in Exeter · 8,800 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Anthony John PayneLiz PoleRuth Travis Williams | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Prioryall in Exeter · 8,716 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Nicholas WilliamsTony WardleJane Begley | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Alphingtonall in Exeter · 8,270 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Lucy Jane FindlayRob HardingYvonne Atkinson | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Topshammostly in Exeter · 5,849 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | James Elie CooksonGemma Lorraine RolstoneMatthew John Williams | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
Devon County Council: county divisions
| Division | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Sidwells & St. James EDall in Exeter · 34,933 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Thomas Morgan Richardson | May 2025 |
| Wearside & Topsham EDmostly in Exeter · 27,223 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Andrew Robert Leadbetter | May 2025 |
| Exwick & St. Thomas EDall in Exeter · 19,272 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Tony Stevens | May 2025 |
| Pinhoe & Mincinglake EDall in Exeter · 18,384 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Edward Hill | May 2025 |
| Wonford & St. Loyes EDall in Exeter · 18,099 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Angie Nash | May 2025 |
| Alphington & Cowick EDall in Exeter · 8,270 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Neil Stevens | May 2025 |
Councillors can resign, change party or sit as independents between elections; a by-election winner replaces someone not named here. Exeter City Council’s website lists who sits now.
Results from Democracy Club’s candidates database (CC BY 4.0; elections since May 2021) and ward seats from its EveryElection, matched to ONS wards (May 2026) and county divisions (May 2025).
Labour led each vote to 2024; the Greens led in 2026
Share of all votes cast for candidates in Exeter’s wards at each scheduled council election since 2021. A gap is a year with no election here.
Seats won at each election
Show as a table
| Party | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | 15.7% | 21.7% | 22.1% | 20.4% | 32.7% |
| Labour | 44.4% | 45.8% | 44% | 38% | 22.1% |
| Liberal Democrat | 8.4% | 9.4% | 12.2% | 10.6% | 11.7% |
| Independent | 0.6% | 0.3% | 1.8% | 12.6% | 0.2% |
| Conservative | 30.1% | 22.4% | 19.7% | 18.4% | 10.9% |
| Reform UK | 0% | 0% | 0.2% | 0% | 22.3% |
In 2026, the Greens won 6, Labour won 4, the Liberal Democrats won 2 and Reform UK won 2 of the 14 seats up in Exeter’s wards.
Results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0). Where a ward elects several councillors at once, each voter has that many votes; all of them count here.
Exeter council election, May 2026
Results in the wards that make up Exeter, as declared. Percentages are of votes cast for candidates in each ward; where a ward elects several councillors, each voter has that many votes.
13 wards voted. Exeter elects a third of its councillors at a time, so a third of the seats were up.
No election is scheduled yet for Exeter’s wards in Democracy Club’s list. Councils publish a notice of election about five weeks before polling day.
Who can I vote for? ↗2,439 votes for candidates
3,024 votes for candidates
3,435 votes for candidates
Every ward’s result (10 more)
2,835 votes for candidates
3,655 votes for candidates
3,427 votes for candidates
3,048 votes for candidates
3,189 votes for candidates
7,117 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
2,790 votes for candidates
2,864 votes for candidates
3,083 votes for candidates
3,951 votes for candidates
Candidates and results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), from councils’ declared results; polling dates from Democracy Club’s EveryElection.
Exeter is split between 2 constituencies
The constituencies’ MP and the 4 July 2024 general election, the whole constituency’s result.
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024
80% of Exeter’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 59% (England 60%).
Majority 11,937 of 40,195 votes (29.7%): wider than in 84% of England’s 543 constituencies.
Conservative, MP since 4 July 2024
20% of Exeter’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 64% (England 60%).
Majority 121 of 51,316 votes (0.24%): the 7th-narrowest of 543 in England.
40,195 votes for candidates · majority 11,937
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 40,195 votes from 67,840 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 11,937 of 40,195 votes (29.7%): wider than in 84% of England’s 543 constituencies.
Exmouth and Exeter East
51,316 votes for candidates · majority 121
Conservative, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 51,316 votes from 79,983 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 121 of 51,316 votes (0.24%): the 7th-narrowest of 543 in England.
MPs and results: UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0); constituencies from ONS (2024 boundaries). Percentages are of valid votes; turnout is votes cast over the electorate.
Exeter’s Band D council tax is £2,495 a year
Where a Band D bill goes, what it has cost over the years, and what the councils plan to spend per resident.
Exeter City Council keeps £191.31 of a Band D bill (8%); the rest goes to Devon County Council, the Devon & Cornwall police and crime commissioner and the Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority.
Band D since 1993
Exeter’s Band D bill has risen 56% in ten years, from £1,600.49 in 2016–17, in line with England’s average (56%). It was £543.38 in 1993–94.
Your bill by band
A Band D home in the unparished part of Exeter, 2026–27, before discounts. The Valuation Office Agency’s band search gives any home’s band.
Devon’s councils
Average Band D in each council area, 2026–27, parish precepts included. Bars start at £2,300.
Council budgets per resident, 2026–27
Show as a table, with Devon
| Exeter + Devon | Exeter’s councils | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult social care | £503 | £505 | £487 |
| Children’s social care | £274 | £309 | £290 |
| Roads and transport | £33 | £55 | £41 |
| Housing (not council homes’ rents) | £64 | £37 | £61 |
| Bins, street cleaning, environment | £123 | £128 | £119 |
| Libraries, leisure, culture | £74 | £47 | £44 |
| Planning and development | £4 | £31 | £26 |
| Public health | £46 | £59 | £78 |
| Running the council | £56 | £67 | £59 |
| Other | £0 | £2 | £19 |
| Total, schools apart | £1,176 | £1,238 | £1,234 |
Net budgeted service spending, MHCLG Revenue Account budget 2026–27, per resident (ONS mid-2025 estimates). Both tiers added: Exeter per its residents plus Devon per the county’s. Schools are left out: academies are paid for directly by government, so council school budgets depend on how many schools have converted. Devon and England: all their councils together. Police, fire and transport authorities aren’t included.
Band D: MHCLG Band D council tax 2026–27 (each authority’s own figure, excluding parish precepts) and Council Tax statistics for town and parish councils 2026–27; since 1993–94, MHCLG’s area averages including parishes.
Having a say in how Exeter is run
It takes about five minutes online; the deadline is 12 working days before a poll.
gov.uk ↗Type a postcode to write to each of its councillors and its MP.
WriteToThem ↗GOV.UK sends the report to the council that looks after the road.
gov.uk ↗Council and committee meetings are open to the public, with agendas and minutes online.
exeter.gov.uk ↗Anyone can comment while an application is open for consultation.
exeter.gov.uk ↗The rules, nomination papers and guidance for council candidates.
Electoral Commission ↗Questions about how Exeter is run
Which council runs Exeter?
The county council runs schools, social care and roads; the district runs bins, planning and housing.
Does Exeter have a town council?
No. Exeter is unparished, so there is no town or parish council and no parish precept.
Who is the MP for Exeter?
Exeter is split between 2 constituencies: Exeter (Steve Race, Labour) and Exmouth and Exeter East (David Reed, Conservative). Parliament’s Find your MP service matches a postcode to its MP.
How many councillors does Exeter have?
39 ward councillors represent Exeter’s 13 wards, and 6 county councillors its county divisions.
When are the next elections in Exeter?
No election is scheduled yet in Democracy Club’s list for Exeter’s wards. The next UK general election must be held by August 2029.
How much is council tax in Exeter?
Band D council tax in Exeter is £2,495 for 2026–27. Your bill depends on your home’s band, from A (6/9 of Band D) to H (18/9).
Who controls Exeter City Council?
No party has a majority. As elected, Labour 19 · Green 10 · Liberal Democrat 5 · Conservative 2 · Reform UK 2 · Independent 1 of 39 seats; a majority needs 20. The council’s website lists who leads it now.
Who controls Devon County Council?
As elected, Liberal Democrat 27 · Reform UK 18 · Conservative 7 · Green 6 · Independent 2 of 60 seats; a majority needs 31.
Who won the 2026 council election in Exeter?
In Exeter’s wards on 7 May 2026, Green 6 · Labour 4 · Liberal Democrat 2 · Reform UK 2 of the 14 seats up. The Greens had the largest share of votes, 32.7%.
Is Exmouth and Exeter East a marginal seat?
David Reed (Conservative) won it by 121 votes in July 2024, 0.24% of votes cast: the 7th-narrowest result of 543 in England.
Sources: ONS ward, county division, parish, constituency lookups (Census 2021 output areas; Open Government Licence v3.0) · GOV.UK local council finder · Democracy Club candidates (CC BY 4.0) and EveryElection · UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0) · MHCLG Band D council tax, parish precepts and Revenue Account budgets 2026–27 (OGL v3.0) · ONS mid-2025 population estimates. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.