GERRYMANDERING sounds like a rather benign word, but it’s much more sinister than that.

It is defined as the political manipulation of electoral boundaries to advantage a particular party or group within a specific area.

The latest proposal from Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay for the reorganisation of Devon is one of the most blatant examples of gerrymandering in recent times.

The attempt by Labour-run Exeter and Plymouth and Conservative Torbay to try and cling to their dwindling power in the region is both pathetic and smacks of desperation.

The fact they are prepared to put party politics before the wellbeing of our local communities is a disgrace.

The irony is, even if they succeed, it won’t work as the electorate have seen through them. Bring on the elections in May, unless of course they try and cancel them.

The leader of Plymouth City Council has the cheek to say the two-tier system of local government has failed in Devon.

Is that the same city council with a staggering debt burden of over £2,500 per head compared to around £600 in Devon? Is it the same city council whose auditors have refused to sign off their accounts since 2019/20 due to pension fund irregularities? Is this the council that cut down 100 trees in the dead of night only to be stopped from more environmental vandalism by their own residents?

Two-tier Devon might not be perfect, but we don’t need any lectures from a clearly failing unitary Plymouth City Council.

Exeter claims to punch above its weight and be the economic powerhouse of Devon.

It’s probably true, but that’s happened in two-tier Devon. The county, working with East Devon District Council (EDDC) have done so much: the Sky Park, the Science Park. EDDC has delivered Cranbrook and another new town is in the pipeline.

Teignbridge is facilitating the housing for southwest Exeter and the South Hams have Sherford (5,500 houses) and just given for permission for Woolwell (2,000 houses.)

The idea the districts have somehow cramped the expansion of our cities is complete nonsense. It just doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.

As for Torbay, who knows what Faustian pact their political leadership has signed with its erstwhile political enemies?

The county is proposing to support the retention of both Torbay and Plymouth on their existing boundaries, even with an expansion of Plymouth into the urban fringe.

Why have they chosen to support the ludicrous Exeter scheme to the detriment of rural Devon?

Perhaps, as the political landscape fractures, they cling to each other in a vain attempt to maintain the status quo.

Those days are over. A new political consensus is here.

It’s ironic that in the government’s manifesto they promised devolution, but local government reorganisation (LGR) wasn’t mentioned.

Now we find ourselves in a fractious LGR process which will cost council taxpayers tens of millions. At the same time, devolution has ground to a halt.

No carrot, all stick. For goodness’ sake, get a grip.

Councillor Julian Brazil

Leader

Devon County Council