LD took this seat from Con after 4 consecutive elections.
MP News Approval i
+55
Martin Wrigley
Liberal DemocratsMartin Wrigley is the Liberal Democrat MP for Newton Abbot, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.
Sign up free to read the full briefing on Martin Wrigley.
Sign up freeCoverage of Newton Abbot has been mixed for Martin across 40 recent articles.
Positive coverage
“MP rejects Palantir's claims that criticism of NHS England deal is 'ideologically motivated'” — AOL.com
“'Axe the Tax' call as Devon family farms face ruin” — South West Farmer
Critical coverage
“Sunny Bay of Palma tests Olympic racers as Sofia regatta gets under way” — Il nautilus
A marginal seat — won by just 2,246 votes (4.7%) in 2024. Covers Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Kingsteignton. Population 90,540, notably older (median age 49 vs 41 nationally). Recorded crime is 39% below the national average. Median income £26K (below average).
Town eyes 'bumper summer' after business boost
Devon Live · 9 Apr 2026
Sign up free to see how Martin Wrigley votes, their stance profile, speeches, and committee roles.
Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£25,500
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£33,200
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
3,340
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
43
28 primary, 6 secondary, 9 other
Total Income Tax▼
£226m
from 49,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£2,360
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£4,640
per taxpayer / year
Source: HMRC Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23. Allocated by taxpayer residence. Covers income tax only — excludes NI, VAT, and capital gains. Sample-based estimate (~8% confidence interval).
Attainment 8▼
39.9
average score (DfE)
GCSE Pass Rate▼
54.4%
5+ GCSEs 9-4 (DfE)
1 large town, 3 towns, 11 villages, rural areas — 91,898 total population
Source: ONS Built-Up Areas (Census 2021) + data.police.uk — crime rates are per 1,000 population (last 3 months)
Source: data.police.uk — street-level crime data aggregated from LSOA to constituency
32 councillors across 17 wards · Last elections: May 2023
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambrook | South Devon Alliance | Paul Roger Parker | May 2023 |
| South Devon Alliance | Richard Daws | May 2023 | |
| Bishopsteignton | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Andrew Keir MacGreggor | May 2023 |
| Bradley | Conservative and Unionist Party | Phil Bullivant | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Richard Buscombe | May 2023 | |
| Buckland Milber | South Devon Alliance | Alex James Hall | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Colin Parker | May 2023 | |
| South Devon Alliance | Mike Ryan | May 2023 | |
| Bushell | Liberal Democrats | Jackie Hook | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Rob Hayes | May 2023 | |
| College | South Devon Alliance | Janet Bradford | May 2023 |
| South Devon Alliance | Liam Mullone | May 2023 | |
| Dawlish North East | Liberal Democrats | Lin Goodman-Bradbury | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Martin Wrigley | May 2023 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Rosie Dawson | May 2023 | |
| Dawlish South West | Liberal Democrats | Alison Foden | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Mike James | May 2023 | |
| Ipplepen | Liberal Democrats | David Francis Palethorpe | May 2023 |
| Kenton Starcross | Liberal Democrats | Gary Taylor | May 2023 |
| Kerswell With Combe | South Devon Alliance | Jane Elizabeth Taylor | May 2023 |
| South Devon Alliance | John Radford | May 2023 | |
| Kingsteignton East | South Devon Alliance | Keeley Gearon | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Ron Peart | May 2023 | |
| Kingsteignton West | Conservative and Unionist Party | Bill Thorne | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Dave Rollason | May 2023 | |
| Shaldon Stokeinteignhead | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Chris Clarance | May 2023 |
| Teignmouth Central | Liberal Democrats | David Cox | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Joan Lilian Atkins | May 2023 | |
| Teignmouth East | Liberal Democrats | Michael Anthony Jackman | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Peter Malcolm Williams | May 2023 | |
| Teignmouth West | Liberal Democrats | Andy Henderson | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Nina Susan Jeffries | May 2023 |
Source: DCLEAPIL v1.0 by Jason Leman, LEAP (Andrew Teale) & Democracy Club. CC BY-SA 4.0. Data last refreshed: 1 Apr 2026.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| LD | 15,201 | 31.7% | |
Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GEWon 2015 GE | Con | 12,955 | 27.0% |
| Ref | 8,494 | 17.7% | |
| Lab | 7,115 | 14.8% | |
| Green | 2,083 | 4.3% | |
| Ind | 1,924 | 4.0% | |
| Ind | 116 | 0.2% | |
| Ind | 104 | 0.2% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GEWon 2015 GE | Con | 29,190 | 55.5% |
Won 2024 GE | LD | 11,689 | 22.2% |
| Lab | 9,329 | 17.8% | |
| Green | 1,508 | 2.9% | |
| Ind | 840 | 1.6% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GEWon 2015 GE | Con | 28,635 | 55.5% |
| Lab | 11,475 | 22.2% | |
| LD | 10,601 | 20.5% | |
| Green | 926 | 1.8% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GE | Con | 22,794 | 47.2% |
| LD | 11,560 | 24.0% | |
| Ind | 6,726 | 13.9% | |
| Lab | 4,736 | 9.8% | |
| Green | 2,216 | 4.6% | |
| Ind | 221 | 0.5% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Con | 20,774 | 43.0% | |
| LD | 20,251 | 41.9% | |
| Lab | 3,387 | 7.0% | |
| Ind | 3,088 | 6.4% | |
| Green | 701 | 1.4% | |
| Ind | 82 | 0.2% |
Martin Wrigley has not appeared in national political news coverage tracked by our system. This is common for backbench MPs who focus on constituency-level work rather than national policy debates.
10 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
Newton Abbot's Mayor expresses optimism about a 'bumper summer' as the revamped Market Hall nears completion and Queen Street pedestrianization project concludes. New businesses are opening, including an Italian deli and expanded Austins department store, signalling economic recovery and renewed investor confidence in the town.
A cliff collapse at Shaldon in Devon has prompted warnings of further falls, with authorities fencing off unsafe areas and removing hazardous debris. Teignbridge District Council is implementing long-term erosion management plans for beaches in Teignmouth to address ongoing coastal instability that threatens public safety, access, and local tourism.
Newton Abbot's recycling centre will undergo a £3m upgrade from April 2027 to comply with new government regulations, including fire-resistant storage, improved drainage, and solar panels. The facility will remain open during works, with traffic management changes at the Brunel Road site.
A six-day planning inquiry in August will resolve a dispute over water drainage from the Wolborough development at Newton Abbot, with environmental campaigners concerned about impacts on Wolborough Fen (a Site of Special Scientific Interest) and Vistry Homes defending their drainage plans. The inquiry follows a February hearing where the planning inspector noted an unusually wide gulf between the parties.
A planning inquiry into a major dispute between Vistry Homes and local environment campaigners over water drainage from a building site at Wolborough in Newton Abbot will proceed in August. The campaigners fear waste water will damage the Wolborough Fen, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, while the developer claims drainage is safe. The inquiry reflects a significant disagreement that has already prompted protests and work stoppages.
Mike James, an 89-year-old councillor who served on Teignbridge Council and Dawlish Town Council, has died after suffering a fall while helping another person. Colleagues from both councils paid tribute to his decades of community service, describing him as a dedicated, passionate role model with a background in healthcare, law, and charitable work.
Alexander Andrew, a 16-year-old from Teignmouth with Ewing sarcoma who had his leg amputated, has nearly £8,000 raised through his aunt Pixie's marathon fundraiser to help buy a custom aquatic prosthetic leg costing £10,000–£20,000. The story highlights the teenager's remarkable courage and determination to rebuild his life through sport despite facing aggressive cancer treatment.
Newton Abbot MP Martin Wrigley is calling on the government to completely scrap the Family Farm Tax before its April 6 implementation, arguing it will push local Devon farming families to ruin. Wrigley claims the tax threatens food security and rural livelihoods, particularly when combined with existing cost-of-living pressures and rising agricultural input costs.
Martin Wrigley, the Liberal Democrat MP for Newton Abbot, is part of a parliamentary committee scrutinising Palantir's £330m NHS England data contract. The article reports on committee chair Chi Onwurah's rejection of Palantir's claim that concerns are ideologically motivated, with Wrigley specifically calling for the contract's termination and advocating for a new UK-led consortium instead.
The UK government is exploring options to terminate its £330 million Palantir contract for the NHS Federated Data Platform amid growing concerns about data security and foreign access to NHS data. Newton Abbot MP Martin Wrigley has publicly called for contract termination and procurement of a UK-based alternative.
The 55th Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca Olympic sailing regatta has begun in Palma with challenging wind conditions. British defending champions Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris had a poor start, lying 31st after three races in the 470 Mixed class.
UK ministers are exploring whether to trigger a break clause in Palantir's £330mn NHS data contract amid mounting pressure from MPs, NHS staff, and unions over the American company's defence sector ties and controversial leadership. Martin Wrigley, the Liberal Democrat MP for Newton Abbot, has called not using the break clause 'a massive mistake' and urged the government to procure a new UK tech consortium instead.
Petrol prices have surged above 150p per litre due to the Iran-Middle East conflict disrupting global oil supplies, causing temporary fuel shortages at some UK forecourts including in Teignmouth, Devon. Petrol station operators and businesses are calling on the government to cancel planned fuel duty increases and reduce VAT, criticizing ministers for stoking public anger that has led to staff abuse.
A 39-year-old man from Exeter has admitted to unlawful wounding after attacking a police officer in Newton Abbot in February. He faces a lengthy prison sentence, potentially life, when sentenced in May or June, and has previous convictions for serious violence.
A seven-vehicle pile-up on the A380 near Ideford close to Newton Abbot resulted in four people being hospitalised on Wednesday evening, with one suffering serious injuries. The incident occurred during poor weather conditions and caused significant disruption, with the southbound carriageway closed for several hours.
A crash on the A380 Ashcombe Road in Devon blocked southbound traffic between B3192 and Ideford on Wednesday evening. The incident was reported at 8:30pm with details of severity not yet available.
Michael Barrymore, a former TV presenter who recently moved to the Kingsbridge area in South Devon, visited a Torquay sweet shop and posted about his experience on TikTok, praising the shop's selection and prices. The article highlights his settling into the local community and his popular social media content featuring confectionery reviews.
A former Devon and Cornwall Police officer charged with child sexual assault offences was found dead at his home in Newton Abbot the day before his scheduled court appearance at Newton Abbot Magistrates' Court. The case has been formally withdrawn following his death, which is not being treated as suspicious.
A former Devon and Cornwall Police officer charged with indecently assaulting young girls has been found dead, leading to the withdrawal of charges that were due to be heard at Newton Abbot magistrates' court. The defendant, Simon Knott of Newton Abbot, faced multiple counts relating to offences committed between 1990 and 2013.
Palantir, a controversial US spytech firm, has been awarded a £30,000-per-month contract by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority despite widespread opposition over its alleged complicity in the Gaza genocide and US immigration enforcement. The contract raises concerns about data security and British sovereignty, with MPs including Newton Abbot's Martin Wrigley criticising the decision.
MPs, including Martin Wrigley (Newton Abbot's MP and Liberal Democrat member of the Commons technology committee), have called for the government to halt an FCA contract awarding US company Palantir access to sensitive UK financial regulation data. Wrigley specifically argued the deal should be 'stopped before it's started' and expressed concerns about creating an uncompetitive market for UK firms.
A fire broke out under a train carriage near Newton Abbot on Sunday, causing cancellations on the Plymouth-Exeter line and stranding passengers. GWR apologised and provided limited bus replacement services; the fire is suspected to have been caused by a wheel bearing.
Around 30 passengers were safely evacuated from a train near Newton Abbot on 22 March after a carriage fire caused by overheating brakes. Emergency services from Newton Abbot and surrounding fire stations responded quickly to resolve the incident without injuries.
Subscribe to unlock AI parliamentary agenda analysis: what's coming up, how it affects this constituency, and how your MP is likely to vote.
See plansSign up free to ask AI questions about Martin Wrigley — 3 questions per month on the free tier.
Sign up freeMore constituency data is being added, including local issue analysis and historical trends. Learn about our methodology. View data sources & attribution.