"The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough for local businesses and East Devon has been particularly badly hit as it has more small and micro businesses when compared to other parts of Devon. There's no doubting that entrepreneurship is the lifeblood of the area.

"Yet support from central and local Government has been patchy and as a result many businesses have had to stop operating for good. Especially in East Devon those not deemed 'essential' to the local economy by not fitting into the category of retail, tourism or hospitality have fallen through the cracks of support.

"After some excluded local businesses contacted me on social media, I wrote to the East Devon District Council about their business support during COVID-19 and spoke at a recent EDDC meeting about gaps in support for some of the estimated 3 million nationally who have not received any financial support for their business during the pandemic or received too little too late. Local businesses which have been waiting for 10 months for any support have in the meantime been accruing debt.

"Those businesses that have been lucky enough to survive this last year will need more support. Local businesses need an action plan to address the long-term economic impacts of COVID-19, something I will be involved in if elected to Devon County Council in Exmouth Division this May.

"I am standing for the Labour Party because they best reflect my personal values - standing up for local services and local businesses. If elected, I will support a variety of measures outlined in Labour's Devon Manifesto to support micro and small business including lobbying for an investment fund to provide grants and loans to develop skills, innovation and new companies, co-operatives and social enterprises.

"And I am proud to stand for election on a joint platform reflecting my values and support for the community and enterprise. I am a candidate standing not only for the Labour Party, but for the Co-operative Party, a party committed to building a society in which power and wealth are shared.

"This is not idealism but rather a proven model used throughout the world where there is democratic, public ownership of the services and utilities we all rely on.

"We have seen amazing examples of this from the Labour Party in Devon. Exeter City Council, for example, has worked in partnership with the private sector to launch a Community Interest Company to help solve the city's urbanisation challenges whilst reducing social inequality and contributing to economic growth.

"Both Dan Wilson, my Labour Co-op running partner, and myself are self-employed. We know how difficult the last year has been for the self-employed, small business owners and local businesses. That's why personally last Christmas I decided to shop local for all my Christmas gifts and that's why we've made one of our central pledges to support local business.

"We've put our money where our mouths are by commissioning a local artist, Rosie Johnson Illustrates, to design a campaign for us outlining our 5 pledges to the people of Exmouth if they elect us to represent them at Devon County Council on May 6th.

"I hope you will vote to support local businesses this May by voting for myself and Dan Wilson for Devon County Council at Exmouth Division."

- Josie Parkhouse, Labour and Coop Candidate for Devon County Council Elections in Exmouth Division

The full list of candidates for Exmouth Division can be found here on the Devon County Council website.

Editor's note

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