Election successes make Lib Dems largest opposition group on Surrey County Council

Success in all three of yesterday’s county by-elections means that the Liberal Democrats are now the largest opposition group on Surrey County Council. 

Alan Ashbery (Camberley West), Catherine Houston (Guildford South-East) and Tony Pearce (Caterham Valley) will now join new members Louise Morales (Woking South) and Andy Burton (Hinchley Wood, Claygate & Oxshott) elected in by-elections held in July and August respectively, to boost the number of Lib Dems on the County Council to 19.

Surrey Lib Dems group leader, Paul Follows was delighted with the results:

“I am thrilled by these latest election wins, and they are testament to how hard everyone has been working to get our message across to the electorate.

“These results also underline how Surrey’s political landscape continues to change. It is clear the Conservatives are in retreat and since they cancelled the elections last May, they have not won a single by-election, whereas we have now picked up wins in all five.

“However, I can assure you we are not complacent about the challenges ahead, but the Liberal Democrats do have the momentum and are clearly best placed to keep the Reform party at bay. 

“We are approaching a period of unprecedented change in the form of Local Government Reorganisation so I look forward to welcoming the new members to our group so that we can all work together in preparing for the two or maybe three new unitary authorities.”