First Women’s Equality Party candidate for Exeter local elections

Voters in Exeter will be able to vote for the Women’s Equality Party (WEP) for the first time on 3 May.

Former British diplomat Bea Gare is standing in Duryard and St James, a ward she first became familiar with as a PhD student at the University of Exeter.

She has been out talking with residents, and they have been raising their concerns with her, from planning decisions to increasing homelessness, and alcohol and drug misuse.

Bea Gare said: “Duryard and St James ranges from quiet country lanes to streets where Exeter’s late night economy needs balancing with respect for its residents.

“Good outcomes require negotiating skill and that’s one of my strengths. People don’t like living at odds with one another and they appreciate help in achieving fair and practical solutions for their neighbourhoods.”

WEP is a non-partisan Party, ready to work with others and Bea believes in the value of diverse voices being included in decision making.

At the moment, only 1 in 3 Exeter City councillors are women, and all three councillors in Duryard and St James are men. By electing Bea voters can change the imbalance so the community representatives better reflect the make-up of the area. Bea would bring a different perspective on policies that affect everyone in the ward.

Bea Said: “We know there have been issues around the personal behaviour of councillors in Exeter and Devon.  Those in public office must demonstrate high standards of personal conduct.   I will ensure that people are held to account if these standards are not met.”

The elections will be held on 3 May, and Bea and her team will be talking with residents in person at every opportunity until then.