Plymouth Conservatives have elected a new leadership team as the group looks to rebuild and present what it describes as a “viable alternative” to the current city administration.
Cllr Chris Wood, who represents Eggbuckland Ward, has been elected leader of the Plymouth Conservative Group, while Cllr Dr John Mahony, councillor for Plymstock Radford Ward, has been elected deputy leader.
Cllr Wood said he was “delighted” to have been elected and praised Dr Mahony following the appointment.
He said: “I am delighted to have been elected as the Leader of the Plymouth Conservatives and enormously grateful that the excellent Cllr Dr John Mahony will serve as my Deputy.
“Plymouth is one of Britain’s greatest cities, we Conservatives are going to take our time to review our current policies and ensure we can present a genuine, decent and viable alternative to the current administration.
“Our plans will be based on sound economic management and proper service delivery. It is important we get this right and work with the public to generate proposals worthy of our city.
“The hard work starts today, we want to work with people right across the city, from small and large businesses to our community groups, to ensure we can create something which we can all be proud.”
Dr Mahony said he was “honoured” to take on the deputy leader role.
He said: “I am honoured to be elected as Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group on the City Council.
“Having been elected as the Conservative Councillor for Plymstock Radford I will be working with Cllr Chris Wood and Cllr Kathy Watkin in the Chamber, sitting on committees including the Health & Social Care Scrutiny panel and campaigning on issues affecting Plymstock Radford and the City generally.”
Cllr Wood was elected to Plymouth City Council in 2024 to represent Eggbuckland Ward. According to the group, he has previously served as a councillor on Hampshire County Council, Fareham Borough Council, South Gloucester District Council and Filton Town Council over the past 13 years.
The press release said he moved to Plymouth in 2020 after previously living in the Portsmouth and Bristol areas while working as a project manager for the Ministry of Defence.
