British Liberal Democrat politician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Millie Clementine Earl (born 1990 or 1991) is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has served as the leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council since 2024.
Millie Earl | |
|---|---|
| Leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council | |
| Assumed office 14 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Vikki Slade |
| Councillor for Newtown and Heatherlands | |
| Assumed office 2 May 2019 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1990 or 1991 (aged 33 or 34) Poole, Dorset, England |
| Political party | Liberal Democrats |
Earl is a veteran campaigner working with charities like Dorset Wildlife Trust and the Bournemouth Foodbank.[2] In the 2015 Poole Borough Council election, she was a Liberal Democrat candidate in Creekmoor ward but was not elected.[3]
In the 2019 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council election, she was elected in Newtown and Heatherlands.[4] In the 2023 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council election, she was re-elected in her ward topping the poll with 1,966 votes.[5] In the election the Liberal Democrats became the largest party and took control of the council holding the most seats.[6] The Liberal Democrats formed a coalition with Christchurch Independents, Poole People Party and the Bournemouth Independent Group.[7] Earl was appointed Deputy Council Leader with the portfolio of "Connected Communities".[8]
In the 2024 United Kingdom general election, council leader Vikki Slade was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Mid Dorset and North Poole, so Earl took over as interim council leader.[9] When the council reconvened she was elected.[10] As council leader she has been responsible in negotiations surrounding the future of the Bournemouth Air Festival.[11] In September 2024, the "Best Value Notice" the Government put on BCP Council was lifted with Earl saying the council was in a "much healthier place".[12]
Earl supported the use of "hybrid and online participation" for council meetings.[13] During the COVID-19 pandemic Earl helped organise a community festival in Parkstone.[14] Earl presented a petition on measures to prevent anti-social behaviour in her ward.[15] The petition entitled "Make Ashley Road Safe" was drawn up following a number of incidents in the area.[16]
Earl opposed Conservative proposals to enforce Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) which included fining homeless people in the local authority, calling the policy "very cruel".[17] Earl opposes the English Devolution Bill which proposes a devolution deal and metro mayor for the region.[18] Following a council vote, it was decided that the unitary authority would join the Heart of Wessex Combined Authority instead of Hampshire and Solent, in which Earl described as the "best option".[19][20]
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