Single mum's bid to become Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP

The Lib Dems have selected their candidate for the seat of Plymouth Sutton and Devonport. A single mum of two girls, Holly Greenberry-Pullen said she aims to bring her energy and determination to improve the city, adding that she fully understands the challenges people now face in their daily lives.

She said: "I've been there. It's tough and I will fight for our needs locally. If elected, I pledge to make it my priority to instigate change where it is most needed. In our schools, where there is a desperate need for investment.

"The NHS, GPs and dentistry services are suffering, as is social and mental health care where it is essential improvement happens. Our emergency support services and front-line staff are let down by cost-cutting and demands to increase funding, staffing and training have fallen on deaf ears."

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Holly said she runs a small business and understand the difficulties faced by other businesses, dealing with bureaucracy and spiralling costs.

She said: "Young people and families are struggling with stress and anxiety in an impossible housing market, with escalating rents, utility bills and inflation. There is frustration within Plymouth over potholes, dirty beaches and water, empty shops and un-finished projects. We need to drive the city forward."

In May 2024 Holly won the North Tavistock seat on West Devon Borough Council and is described as an active and vocal campaigner for the local community.

She studied at Plymouth College of Art (now University Arts Plymouth) and afterwards worked as a camera-woman at BBC and ITV. She left television to study for a degree at University of Plymouth in Earth Sciences, then worked as an environmental geologist whilst taking a post-graduate degree at Cardiff University.

She explained that one of the most impacting and fulfilling parts of her early life was working as a care assistant with the elderly and those with mental health needs. She added: "Supporting people in need is part of my core makeup, it’s something many people do but an area that is often undervalued. That must change!"

In addition, Holly also worked for Plymouth City Council ’s leisure department, becoming a lifeguard and teaching children in Mountwise Rookie Lifeguarding. She has also trained and qualified with the RNLI in south Devon.

She said her role on PCC’s Private Rental Forum was to drive forward reforms to improve rental accommodation, adding: "Somewhere to live is a basic need. People deserve safe, good quality, clean, dry, suitably-sized homes that are affordable for them."

As a primary school governor, she said she focused on supporting children with additional needs and disabilities. Meanwhile she said her work at County level, with a parent-carer group, challenged what she claimed was the Conservative government’s neglect of many children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND); including children coming from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Holly has achieved national recognition for her support of children's and women’s human rights, and LGBTI rights. She has guest lectured across the country including at Plymouth University and has engaged and spoken at the UN in Geneva and worked with Special Rapporteurs, UN Treaty Bodies and activists. She's worked with politicians in Westminster and Holyrood on national policy and legislation and spent many years supporting charitable organisations and NGOs in their work.

She said: "I believe every person has the right to be heard and their opinion valued. We mustn’t be seen as undervalued in our diversity or our needs.

"Let’s work together to make Plymouth a great place for everybody to live, a safer city for women and minority groups, where we are all valued and people can be inspired and proud. That starts by listening and being a conduit for a local voice at a national level. I promise to make it my priority to address these issues and make Plymouth a far better place to live, work and raise our kids.

"To emphasise the many qualities we value in the city, where enterprise, start-ups, investment and attractive opportunities make Plymouth a vibrant, thriving community; a truly proud Ocean City."

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