Rebecca Smith, a local City Councillor, was recently chosen to pick up Gary Streeter's mantel and stand as the parliamentary candidate in South West Devon!
Rebecca Smith said;
"Born in Plymouth’s Freedom Fields Hospital, I grew up locally and attended Plymouth High School for Girls. My parents ran a small design and build kitchen company and modelled the values of hard work, commitment and dedication to our local community. Growing up through the Recessions of the 1980s and 90s also meant we didn’t have a lot of spare money, so I know what it’s like when ends are hard to meet.
After graduating from the University of Southampton, I worked in Brussels and then came home and worked in Plymouth City Council’s Homelessness team before moving to London. For the following eleven years, I worked in public service in London in a range of roles including on criminal justice policy as part of the Shadow Justice team in the run up to the 2010 General Election. However, throughout this time, I worked with one aim in mind – to return home and fight Plymouth and Devon’s corner, getting the best deal for our communities.
And that’s what I’ve been doing since returning home in 2015. I have been a City Councillor representing Plymstock Radford since 2018, have served as Chair of the Planning Committee, Cabinet Member for Homes and Communities and had the privilege of leading The Commission on Violence against Women and Girls. I also work part time for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission doing public engagement across the South West, and for Sir Gary Streeter MP on a range of projects, gaining extensive knowledge of the South West Devon constituency.
In December 2019, I stood as Parliamentary Candidate for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, having campaigned since November 2018. I regularly speak to community groups about my work for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, my role as a Councillor and Cabinet Member and the work we have done on Violence against Women and Girls. I have been interviewed on a range of issues by national and local news channels and publications including the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and the Guardian and am a routine guest on BBC South West Sunday Politics.
In May 2023, I was selected as Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for South West Devon at the next General Election.
I am a member of the Conservative Friends of the Armed Forces, Conservative Environment Network, Conservative Rural Forum and the Conservative Christian Fellowship.
You will often find me out walking in the Devon countryside or cooking for friends and family. I am an avid Formula One fan and enjoy doing the Park Run in Plymbridge Woods (occasionally!). I also enjoy reading and spending time in my garden.
