Created in the 2023 boundary review, replacing Totnes.
One of the oldest constituencies — median age 52.
MP News Approval i
+77
Caroline Voaden
Liberal DemocratsCaroline Voaden is the Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024. She currently undertakes the role of Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Schools).
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Sign up freeCoverage of South Devon has been mixed for Caroline across 40 recent articles.
Positive coverage
“MP demands government support for storm-hit South Devon” — Devon Live
“Devon MP urges Prime Minister to act on pelvic mesh 'scandal'” — Devon Live
A new constituency created in the 2023 boundary review. Won by LD in its first election in 2024. Covers Brixham, Paignton and Totnes. Population 99,759, notably older (median age 52 vs 41 nationally). Recorded crime is 49% below the national average. Median income £25K (below average).
Mayday call off Devon coast as fire breaks out on cargo ship
Plymouth Herald · 9 Apr 2026
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Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£25,400
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£35,000
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
4,715
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
50
32 primary, 4 secondary, 14 other
Total Income Tax▼
£240m
from 47,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£2,330
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£5,140
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▼
45.9
average score (DfE)
GCSE Pass Rate▼
68.4%
5+ GCSEs 9-4 (DfE)
1 large town, 5 towns, 8 villages, rural areas — 90,738 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
30 councillors across 18 wards · Last elections: May 2023
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allington Strete | Liberal Democrats | Laurel Lawford | May 2023 |
| Blackawton Stoke Fleming | Liberal Democrats | Simon Rake | May 2023 |
| Charterlands | Conservative and Unionist Party | Bernard Taylor | May 2023 |
| Churston With Galmpton | Conservative and Unionist Party | Adam Simon Billings | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Alan John Tyerman | May 2023 | |
| Collaton St Mary | Conservative and Unionist Party | Martin Brook | May 2023 |
| Dartington Staverton | Green Party of England and Wales | Jacqi Hodgson | May 2023 |
| Dartmouth East Dart | Labour Party | Ben Cooper | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Ged Yardy | May 2023 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Jonathan Denis Hawkins | May 2023 | |
| Furzeham With Summercombe | Conservative and Unionist Party | Andrew Paul Strang | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Hannah Emily Stevens | May 2023 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Jason Richard Hutchings | May 2023 | |
| Kings Ash | Conservative and Unionist Party | Jackie Thomas | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Yvonne Marie Twelves | May 2023 | |
| Kingsbridge | Liberal Democrats | Denise O'Callaghan | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Susie Jackson | May 2023 | |
| Loddiswell Aveton Gifford | Liberal Democrats | Lee Bonham | May 2023 |
| Marldon Littlehempston | Conservative and Unionist Party | Samantha Penfold | May 2023 |
| Salcombe Thurlestone | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Mark Leonard Christopher Long | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Samantha Dennis | May 2023 | |
| South Brent | Liberal Democrats | David Christopher Hancock | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Guy Pannell | May 2023 | |
| St Peters With St Marys | Conservative and Unionist Party | Anna Joan Tolchard | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Steve Bryant | May 2023 | |
| Stokenham | Liberal Democrats | Julian Brazil | May 2023 |
| Totnes | Green Party of England and Wales | Anna Presswell | May 2023 |
| Green Party of England and Wales | Georgina Mary Allen | May 2023 | |
| Liberal Democrats | John Birch | May 2023 | |
| West Dart | Liberal Democrats | John McKay | 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 | 22,540 | 46.0% | |
Won 2019 GE | Con | 15,413 | 31.4% |
| Ref | 6,363 | 13.0% | |
| Lab | 3,066 | 6.3% | |
| Green | 1,497 | 3.0% | |
| Ind | 125 | 0.3% |
Caroline Voaden 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.
19 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
An emergency response was initiated when a cargo ship caught fire in its engine room approximately 40 nautical miles south of Salcombe off the South Devon coast. HM Coastguard and RNLI crews responded quickly, evacuating one injured person to Derriford Hospital while safely managing the incident, with the vessel eventually being towed to a French port.
Devon County Council has saved £3.6 million by reducing agency staff spending in children's services, increasing permanent staff from 50% to 86% over two years. The service, which remains inadequate according to Ofsted despite showing some improvement areas, aims to meet higher standards through this staffing stability.
A positive review of Ladram Bay, a family-run holiday park located on the Jurassic Coast between Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth in South Devon. The article discusses the park's facilities, amenities, and appeal as a domestic holiday destination during a year when staycations are increasingly attractive.
A positive travel feature reviewing Ladram Bay holiday park on the Jurassic Coast in south Devon, highlighting it as an attractive UK staycation destination with modern facilities and family-friendly amenities.
An advertorial article about dairy farmers diversifying into on-farm gelato production, using Surfing Cow Gelato in South Devon as a case study. The article highlights how farmers can significantly increase profit margins by processing milk into gelato rather than selling it directly.
A major roadworks project in Kingsbridge, South Devon has extended significantly after discovering a collapsed water culvert beneath Fore Street requires complete replacement rather than a simple repair. The 20-week project, which could last until summer 2025, has caused months of disruption and sparked anger from local residents and businesses frustrated by poor initial communication and planning.
Dartmouth in Devon has been crowned the UK's most beautiful town by travel blogger Sarah Hagan, with social media praise comparing it to Greek landscapes. The article highlights the town's waterfront charm, maritime heritage, historic architecture, and attractions including Dartmouth Castle and Agatha Christie's former home.
Raw sewage was spilled into the Harbourne River in Devon for over 103 days in 2025, with South West Water recording 46,000 spills across the region. South Devon MP Caroline Voaden has joined Liberal Democrat colleagues in demanding the government end what they call the 'Great Sewage Cover-up' and require water companies to disclose the volume of sewage discharged, not just duration.
A community-led pilot scheme called 'Basic Income for Farmers' is being developed in South Devon to provide regular unconditional monthly payments of £1,440 to 25-100 farmers, aiming to address income insecurity and support sustainable agriculture. The initiative was designed collaboratively by local farmers, growers, and researchers and is now seeking philanthropic and research funding to move forward.
A major landslide has occurred at The Ness in Shaldon, South Devon, with hundreds of tonnes of soil and rock collapsing into the sea. Teignbridge Council has closed the South West Coast Path and cordoned off areas, warning of further likely falls and urging residents and visitors to stay clear for safety reasons.
Celebrity Michael Barrymore, who recently relocated to the Kingsbridge area of South Devon, visited Ashby's of Salcombe garden centre and shared his experience on TikTok. The article documents his shopping trip and positive impressions of the local retailer and its offerings.
A 32-year-old man from Totnes was found dead in St John's Church churchyard on March 17, with an inquest opened but the cause of death yet to be determined. The incident occurred locally within the South Devon constituency.
Independent candidate Frances Robinson won a Brixham town council by-election on a platform opposing the Monksbridge development, a proposed 175-home housing project on greenfield land. Robinson's victory reflects strong local sentiment against the development and for protecting green spaces in the town.
A volunteer group in Brixham is calling on Torbay Council to preserve a derelict toilet block and convert it into a coffee kiosk and information point for the Brixham Railway Heritage Trail project. Torbay Council maintains demolition is necessary due to the building's unsafe condition and legal restrictions on leasing.
South Devon MP Caroline Voaden challenged the Prime Minister in the House of Commons over government inaction on the pelvic mesh and valproate scandals, which have affected tens of thousands of women and children. She highlighted a constituent living in constant pain and demanded a timeline for implementing compensation recommendations from the Hughes Report, published in 2024.
The UK Government has responded to MP Caroline Voaden's parliamentary petition about severe coastal erosion damage to the A379 Slapton Line in South Devon by offering sympathy but declining to provide specific funding or a repair plan. Voaden has actively campaigned for government support to address the crisis affecting villages like Torcross, Beesands, and Hallsands, warning that the government's response will signal to all coastal communities whether they will be supported.
South Devon MP Caroline Voaden made a parliamentary speech demanding greater government support for coastal communities affected by storms and erosion in Start Bay, particularly following the February collapse of the A379 Slapton Line road. Her petition attracted over 40,000 signatures, and she called for comprehensive funding for road repairs, sea defences, and council support.
Railway heritage volunteers in Brixham are fighting Torbay Council's plan to demolish a derelict toilet block on Ropewalk Hill, which they want to repurpose as an information kiosk and coffee bar for the new Brixham Railway Heritage Trail project. The council views the building as redundant and unsafe, but volunteers see it as a unique opportunity to tell local history and support their traffic-free cycling and walking route initiative.
Torcross and Beesands in South Devon have been excluded from a £830 million government flood defence funding announcement, leaving communities devastated by winter storms without support for coastal defences or road reconstruction. MP Caroline Voaden has expressed disappointment and is seeking clarification from the government, while a small £100,000 allocation to nearby Kingsbridge was welcomed but deemed insufficient.
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