Plymouth Labour Councillor Charlotte Holloway has appeared on BBC Spotlight this week to discourage Plymothians from choosing their own leader and to stick with the current system that has seen Plymouth fall into £1 billion of debt, despite facing mounting criticism over her poor attendance at council meetings.
Just over a month ago, Plymouth Plus reported that Councillor Holloway, who represents Drake ward, had attended only 50% of her required meetings while taking 100% of her councillor pay. The councillor had attended just 8 out of 16 required meetings since December 2024, with her absences particularly notable at key committees including the Scrutiny Management Board, Licensing Committee, and Natural Infrastructure and Growth Committee. Her poor attendance record has led to some readers labelling her "Half-a-Job Holloway".
Cllr Holloway is running Plymouth Labour's campaign aimed at discouraging the people of Plymouth from choosing their own leader, under the name 'Plymouth Knows Better'. The councillor's BBC Spotlight appearance comes as Plymouth prepares for Thursday's referendum on whether to adopt a directly elected mayor after a petition signed by over 10,000 residents triggered the vote.
On Thursday, 17th July, you can help preserve democracy by voting in your Plymouth referendum for a Mayor.
It would seem that Plymothians do not agree with Labour in their droves and want the chance to choose their own leader and get Plymouth back on an even keel. Plymouth residents have expressed frustration with Cllr Holloway's media participation given her attendance record. One Plymouth Plus reader wrote in to say:
"I shall not be taking the advice of a Labour councillor who is failing us by not turning up half the time. This isn't about the people of Plymouth, this is about Labour fearing losing control and holding on tight to anything they have 'power' over in Plymouth."
Another reader said:
"The nickname Half-a-Job Holloway seems apt. I voted for Councillor Charlotte Holloway as she promised the earth. I have never seen her in Drake and now I rely on Councillor Steve Ricketts to address any issues I have."
A further reader added:
"Give up 50% of your councillor salary and we'll think about listening to you."
Questions have also been raised about the councillor's commitment to the referendum campaign itself. Sources suggest she left within minutes of attending the Plymouth City Council offices on Tuesday and did not attend the postal vote opening session.
As Plymouth residents prepare to make this crucial decision about the city's future governance, many are questioning whether representatives with such poor attendance records and those who have broken the electoral code should be leading the public debate at all.
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