Devon County Council enters new era with no party in control

Devon County Council has been left with no overall control following the 2025 local elections, ending more than 15 years of Conservative leadership and marking a significant shift in the county’s political landscape.

Of the 60 available seats, the Liberal Democrats emerged as the largest group with 27, narrowly missing the 31 needed for a majority.

In a surprise result, Reform UK secured 18 seats, followed by the Conservatives with seven, the Green Party with six, and two Independents. Labour lost all its seats, leaving it without representation on the council.

The result means Devon County Council is now governed by a collection of parties, with no formal coalition currently planned.

Councillor Julian Brazil, re-elected as Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said his party was not pursuing a formal power-sharing deal but instead wanted a more collaborative approach.

“The mood music I’m getting from our group is that we don’t want a formal sharing agreement among parties, and I support that,” he said. “If we’re making the right decisions members should vote with us. It’s a new way of doing politics, but a much more mature and developed way of doing things.”

He added that he wants to see better outcomes for residents, particularly around children’s services and road maintenance, two long-running issues in the county.

Other party leaders echoed the call for unity.

Councillor Michael Fife Cook of Reform UK said, “We can’t force through change, it will have to be by compromise, but good ideas can come from anywhere… we are representing Devon.”

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Leader of the Green and Independent group, said her party would work for “better democracy and a brighter future,” while Conservative group leader Councillor Andrew Leadbetter welcomed the collaborative tone, saying, “If we can all work together for the good of Devon, that has to be a good thing.”

The full council will meet on Thursday 22 May to appoint a new Leader, Deputy Leader, Cabinet Members, committee chairs, and the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the council.

What happens next at County Hall will be closely watched, with the prospect of more consensus-driven politics - and more accountability - on the horizon.