Former Conservative Councillor Natalie Harrison will contest her old seat at next year’s Plymouth City Council elections after being unanimously reselected by local party members.
Natalie represented Plympton St Mary from 2021 to 2024 and has lived in the Plympton St Mary ward for 40 years. As it stands, she is the only declared candidate that has a long history of living in Plympton St Mary and serving the community.
The choice at the election will be between a candidate who has devoted their adult life to serving Plympton, or to a seasoned political operator who is seeking to use Plympton as a springboard for power.
Responding to her reselection, Natalie said: “I am delighted to have been chosen as the Conservative candidate for the May 2026 Local Elections. I intend to represent the views of the community I live in.
“I am in the community, for the community. This includes being actively involved in helping save Plympton’s Christmas lights as well as Vice-Chair of the Rees Wellbeing Hub, of which I was a founding member as Stannator, back in 2018. As a previous Plymouth City Councillor, I worked hard to improve services and ensure the voice of Plympton residents was heard in Council.”
Rebecca Smith MP reacted: “I’m delighted that Natalie has been selected as the candidate for next year’s local elections in Plympton St Mary. Natalie is a strong and committed local voice, having lived in St Mary’s Ward for over 30 years. She has a track record of delivering for the community and has my full support in her campaign to be your local councillor.”
Cllr Ian Darcy, who was first elected as a councillor in 2012, will stand down next May. On Natalie’s selection, Cllr Darcy commented: “Natalie is no stranger to Plympton St Mary, having served as ward Councillor from 2021 to 2024. A former Plympton Stannator, Natalie is well known as a tireless community campaigner and is involved with many Plympton organisations serving the community.”
Tim Lever, the chairman of the Plympton Conservative Group, was delighted with Natalie’s selection. Mr Lever commented “Natalie has continued to be an active and respected stalwart of our community. So much so that speaking with residents on doorsteps in recent months many believed she was still our Councillor!”
Plympton St Mary is represented by three councillors who are elected in thirds. Elections will take place for one seat in May 2026, with all-out elections on new boundaries expected in May 2027.
