South West Devon General Election candidates hoping to become the next MP

As the UK prepares to head for the polls for the general election on July 4, you may be wondering who the candidates are in your local area.

In South West Devon, it is guaranteed the area will see a new MP as Conservative Sir Gary Streeter, is standing down and retiring. Mr Streeter won this seat in 2019 with a 21,430 majority.

He was an MP for more than 30 years, representing South West Devon from 1997 to 2024 and previously holding the Plymouth Sutton seat between 1992 and 1997.

So who could the new MP be? There are eight candidates hoping to secure your votes.

Sarah Allen (Labour)

Sarah, who works for an education union and is the chair of Plymouth City Council’s Audit and Governance Committee, said it was a “huge honour” to be selected to run in the July 4 election.

“There are no ‘no-go’ areas for Labour in this election,” said Sarah, who overturned a significant Conservative majority to win her council seat in 2019. I have lived in the South Hams and I know its communities well. I also know that 14 years of the Conservatives have left their mark on our corner of Devon.

"Farmers are struggling to make ends meet, rural poverty is endemic and you simply don’t know if an ambulance will arrive when you need it.

“It’s time for a change and that’s why I want to fight to improve the lives of people right across the constituency as South West Devon’s representative in parliament under a Labour government,” said Sarah, who is a parent of two children.

Julian Brazil (Lib Dem)

Already a councillor in South Hams, Julian Brazil is hoping to snatch the seat being vacated by retiring Conservative Gary Streeter. He resides in the village of East Prawle in the constituency South Hams and has been leader of South Hams District Council since last May, leading the Liberal Democrats to a historic victory for the first time ever.

With an honours degree in Zoology from Bristol University, the former science teacher also taught himself accountancy. In addition to being a member of the Devon & Somerset Fire Authority he is also the ex-chairman of the Green Lib Dems.

He said: "I was drawn into politics because of my passion for the environment - inspired by the 'Life on Earth' natural history series from the late 70’s. Starting at the family printing business, I then worked as a researcher at Westminster and moved to Devon full-time about 25 years ago.

"I tried to be a teacher, but if I’m honest I wasn’t very good. I did learn how tough it was and I have total respect for all those in education. Incensed by a planning application to close one of my local village pubs, I stood for the council and was elected by three votes! In the last election, my majority was 519 so I must be doing something right.

"I have spoken to thousands of local people over the years. We all have our priorities and no doubt policies will be announced during the campaign. For me politics is also about your values and your passion. I believe in fairness and equality. I’ve always supported the underdog. Nothing makes me more angry, like so many of us, to see injustice.

"The behaviour of senior managers at the Post Office and South West Water should never be allowed to happen. People need to take responsibility for their actions – it’s why they’re paid so much."

Ben Davy (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)

Ben Davy is a Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition candidate in South West Devon constituency.

He said: "As capitalism lurches from one crisis to the next, it delivers ever growing inequality, poverty and ecological negligence Worse, voter disillusionment and disenfranchisement feeds the far-right once again. We face the prospect of a Labour government peddling the same neoliberal consensus. We await austerity 2.0. Hope comes, as it always does, from the left, from the ground up, from the people.

"Standing together in union, independent socialists and trade unionists offer the only positive and robust platform to arrest decades of decay."

He listed the key points of their Manifesto

• Fully fund the NHS and other public services. Reversing Privatisation.

• Mass council house building and Rent Controls.

• Renationalise rail, mail, energy and water – not under the control of bureaucrats but managed democratically by workers.

• Inflation proofed pay rise and £15 Minimum Wage for all.

• Free education and training.

• Combat climate change with a free – to -use expanded and renationalised public transport system.

• End the slaughter in Gaza. No to war.

• For a new party of the working class and trade union movement.

• Fight for socialist change – take the wealth from the super-rich.

Mr Davy added: "If elected I promise I will stand with workers, for families, for children, and never for big business. I am not for sale."

Stephen Horner (Reform UK)

Stephen Horner was born and grew up in Plymouth, studying in the city and training as a Merchant Navy Radio Officer. He served as a regular in the RAF in the UK and overseas.

Mr Horner also served in the Royal Navy Auxiliary Service as a volunteer and has worked in the UK and "all over the world in Technology for British and overseas companies".

He is married with two grown-up children and two grown-up step-children and has several grandchildren. He said: "I love Devon and my country.

"I’m angry at the mainstream parties for their misrule and for ignoring the views, concerns and needs of ordinary people, like us, who live outside of the big metropolitan cities and the Westminster bubble.

"I fear for the young people of Britain and want to leave a legacy of hope for a happy and prosperous life. Reform UK is the only party whose values I share."

Darryl Ingram (Heritage Party)

WhocanIvotefor reports Mr Ingram says he is "a proud native of Plymouth, known as a Janner, and I come from a working-class background".

His statement on their website states: "From a young age, I have been instilled with strong values, rooted in good Christian principles, such as respecting the law, helping others, and working hard.

The reason I have decided to run for the South West Devon seat in the upcoming General Election is because I am tired of witnessing our country being dismantled and sold off to the highest bidder. As your local Member of Parliament, I am committed to doing my part in putting a stop to this, and I urge you, the voter, to join me in this endeavour. I am not a career politician, but rather a concerned citizen who was deeply disturbed by the destruction of nearly 100 trees in Plymouth last year. This act of vandalism motivated me to align myself with the Heritage Party, whose values resonate with my own.

Having previously run for local councillor and participated in multiple by-elections, I am now seeking to represent you as your next MP. I firmly believe that our country needs a strong opposition to hold the current government accountable for their actions. Despite living in a supposedly democratic system, decisions made by authorities are mostly based on the opinions of select communities. The average citizen, who is preoccupied with work and family, often lacks the time to engage in community activities. It is undemocratic to disregard the voices of individual citizens and regulate their lives solely based on the requirements of select communities.

It is time for us, the people, to reclaim control over our lives. If we continue to vote in the same way, we will continue to experience the same outcomes. I implore you to vote for change by supporting the Heritage Party on July 4th. Together, let's make a meaningful difference."

Lauren McLay (Green)

Lauren is the Green Party Group Leader on Plymouth City Council representing Plympton Chaddlewood ward. Following her initial election in January 2023 and successful re-election in May 2024 gaining 53% of the vote, she is the first Green Party councillor to be successfully re-elected to Plymouth City Council.

Since her election, Lauren has been working hard to improve play parks, parks and green spaces, advocate for nature and a just transition to netzero, and increase access to democracy. She also sits on Health and Wellbeing, Natural Infrastructure and Growth and Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Panels on Plymouth City Council.

Within the Green Party, Lauren is also a member of the Young Greens. Lauren, who grew up in central Scotland, moved to the South West to work for an environmental charity. She has a professional background in tourism, culture and communications. She says it is a ‘great honour’ to have been selected to contest the seat which has been held by retiring Conservative Gary Streeter for 27 years.

She is committed to increasing the presence of marginalised groups within politics. As a young, queer, working class woman Lauren advocates that our elected representatives should be representative of us.

Outside of work, Lauren enjoys camping on Dartmoor, snorkelling and wild swimming at Wembury, walking and paddle-boarding around Noss Mayo, bouldering, live music and exploring nature with her rescue greyhound.

Lauren said: “We live in one of the richest countries on the planet. Yet in South West Devon nurses are using food banks, putting a roof over our heads is all too often unaffordable, thousands of children are growing up in poverty, and a hospital or dentist appointment is like gold dust.

"We need more than the few tweaks offered by the Labour Party to undo the damage of the Conservatives. We need real hope, and real change. Voting Green sends a message for the serious change this country deserves; to restore our NHS, deliver safe and warm homes for all, stop water bosses profiting from sewage in our rivers and seas, address the cost of living crisis and be ambitious in tackling the climate and nature emergencies."

Rebecca Smith (Con)

Plymouth's Plymstock Radford ward councillor Rebecca Smith who won her seat in May 2018 and she was born and raised in Plymouth.

She told whocanIvotefor: "Born in Plymouth’s Freedom Fields Hospital, I grew up locally and attended Plymouth High School for Girls. My parents ran a small design and build kitchen company and modelled the values of hard work, commitment and dedication to our local community. Growing up through the Recessions of the 1980s and 90s also meant we didn’t have a lot of spare money, so I know what it’s like when ends are hard to meet.

"After graduating from the University of Southampton with a degree in Modern History and Politics, I worked in Brussels and then came home and worked in Plymouth City Council’s Homelessness team before moving to London. For the following eleven years, I worked in public service in London in a range of roles including on criminal justice policy as part of the Shadow Justice team in the run up to the 2010 General Election. However, throughout this time, I worked with one aim in mind – to return home and fight Plymouth and Devon’s corner, getting the best deal for our communities.

"And that’s what I’ve been doing since returning home in 2015. I have been a Councillor representing Plymstock Radford since 2018, have served as Chair of the Planning Committee, Cabinet Member for Homes and Communities and had the privilege of leading The Commission on Violence against Women and Girls. I also work part time for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission doing public engagement across the South West, and for Sir Gary Streeter MP on a range of projects, gaining extensive knowledge of the South West Devon constituency.

"In December 2019, I stood as Parliamentary Candidate for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, having campaigned since November 2018. I regularly speak to community groups about my work for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, my role as a Councillor and Cabinet Member and the work we have done on Violence against Women and Girls. In May 2023, I was selected as Prospective Member of Parliament for South West Devon ahead of the next General Election.

"I am a member of the Conservative Friends of the Armed Forces, Conservative Environment Network, Conservative Rural Forum and the Conservative Christian Fellowship. You will often find me out walking in the Devon countryside or cooking for friends and family. I am an avid Formula One fan, attend a local church and enjoy doing the Park Run in Plymbridge Woods (occasionally!). I also enjoy reading and spending time in my garden."

Alan Spencer (Independent)

Alan Charles Spencer is an independent candidate in South West Devon. He told whocanivotefor that "having looked around at the local parties, I realise I could not vote for any of them".

He said: "I just cannot trust the manipulation of words. Please note: I am not offering an opinion on the candidates, just the parties they represent. Knowing a couple of the candidates through my experience as a local town councillor, they are perfectly decent normal people who want to make a difference.

"I am standing as an independent, therefore what I say is what I believe. You might not like what I say, but at least you know it is honest. I am a postman by day; in the past I have been a stock-controller, parts advisor, computer programmer and technical advisor.

"In my spare time I look after my boys, usually by attending their sporting fixtures, run a table tennis club, and the elected leader of Ivybridge town Council - aka The Mayor of Ivybridge. I plan to be always contactable, and my campaign email address is AlanCSpencerSWD@gmail.com; constituents can also WhatsApp me on +447737227742. I will publish any questions anonymously in my website, https://www.ivybridge.club/AlanCSpencerSWD/."