East Devon Alliance

East Devon Alliance^[1] is a local community activist organisation and political party in East Devon. Initially founded as a community activist and pressure group in 2013, the Alliance registered as a political party in 2015. It subsequently won 10 of the 59 seats in the East Devon District Council election, 2015.^[2]

Having championed local causes, it became apparent in the summer of 2014 that an increasing number of people were indicating that they wished to stand as candidates in the District Council elections in 2015.

At the end of 2014 the decision was made to apply for party status with the Electoral Commission, which was granted in February 2015. A core team of volunteers produced two key documents – one to identify the real issues, and the other to put forward positive actions to address them.

In May 2015, the people of East Devon elected 10 EDA District Councillors and 5 other Independents. It was the only area in the country in which Independents made significant gains,^[3] against the national swing to the Conservatives, a notable feat for a party only 3 months old and at its first attempt. The new 15-strong Independent Group is now the second largest group in the Council and is therefore the official Opposition.^[4]

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