After nearly four decades in Plymouth politics, council leader Tudor Evans has announced he will stand down at the local elections in May 2027, bringing to an end a chapter in the city’s political history.
The Labour veteran, who has experienced election victories, defeats, political upheaval and numerous changes of administration, says two health scares over the past three years have persuaded him that the time has come to put his health and family first. He will remain council leader until then, before spending more time with his partner and grandchildren.
For almost 40 years, Tudor Evans has been one of the most recognisable figures in Plymouth. Whether opening a new development, attending a civic ceremony, campaigning or anxiously awaiting an election result, he has rarely been far from the centre of local political life.
And the Plymouth Post photographic archives tell much of that story. Our pictures stretch back decades, capturing Mr Evans at some of the defining moments in the city’s recent history, alongside a few occasions that reveal a rather different side to the veteran politician.
There are photographs of him at the construction site of the new Drake Circus shopping centre, standing outside what would eventually become The Box, and even down a hole wielding a sledgehammer.
Other pictures capture the lighter side of political life, including an appearance sporting a rather impressive moustache, while an old election night photograph shows a visibly nervous Mr Evans waiting to discover his political fate. They are images of a man whose career has unfolded alongside enormous changes in Plymouth.
First elected to represent Ham in 1988, Mr Evans became Labour group leader in 1998 and has served five separate terms as leader of Plymouth City Council. His latest return to the council leadership came in May 2023, when Labour regained control from the Conservatives.
During his years in office, he has been closely associated with major developments across the city, including Drake Circus, The Box and the transformation of Armada Way.
But behind the political figure is someone who has always maintained interests far removed from the council chamber.
In an exclusive interview with Plymouth Post earlier this year, Mr Evans spoke warmly about his love of cooking, music and spending time with his grandchildren. During the pandemic, he launched a series called Cooking with Councillor Tudor, sharing recipes while supporting local fishers.
“Cooking is relaxing, and it’s something I share with my grandchildren, it’s one of my greatest joys,” he told us.
Those words now carry particular significance following his decision to step away from the council leadership to spend more time with his family.
In the same interview, Mr Evans reflected on the difficulties of running a city council responsible for hundreds of services and more than 270,000 residents.
“Sometimes things go wrong, but when they do, we learn, improve, and move forward. That’s how you build a better council and a better city,” he said.
It was an acknowledgement that political leadership does not always go according to plan, something he has experienced during his long career.
This is also a personal moment for me as a photographer who has followed his career. Tudor Evans has been part of Plymouth’s political landscape for most of my working photographic life. I have photographed him for decades, sometimes on an almost weekly basis, through the celebrations, disappointments, controversies and everyday business of local government.
Not every politician is comfortable in front of a camera. Some are reluctant subjects and others can make a photographer’s job unnecessarily difficult. Tudor Evans was different. He understood the importance of a photograph, was always approachable and, in my experience, was one of the easiest politicians to work with.
That professional relationship has continued through decades of political change, regardless of which party happened to be running the city.
Of course, politics is rarely without its divisions. Mr Evans has attracted both loyal supporters and fierce critics, and not everyone will agree with his decisions or his record in office. But whatever your political allegiance, few could dispute the length of his service or the prominent place he has occupied in Plymouth’s recent history.
His departure also raises an important question for the Labour Party. After almost three decades with him as Labour group leader, the party will have to adjust to life without the politician who has guided it through successive elections, periods in opposition and returns to power.
Replacing that depth of experience and familiarity with the city will be no small undertaking. Who emerges to lead Labour into its next chapter, and what direction the party takes, will be one of the more interesting developments in Plymouth politics over the coming months.
Photographs © Wayne Perry / Plymouth Post