Responding to the news that upcoming elections for Surrey County Council have been delayed, Liberal Democrat MPs Helen Maguire (Epsom & Ewell), Al Pinkerton (Surrey Heath), Chris Coghlan (Dorking & Horley), Monica Harding (Esher & Walton), Will Forster (Woking) and Zöe Franklin (Guildford) alongside Leader of the Opposition Cllr Paul Follows have released the following statement:

“Today, Conservative-led Surrey Council have denied local residents their voice by getting our upcoming local elections delayed.

“Since 2021, Surrey’s Liberal Democrats have made continuous gains from the Conservatives. At the most recent General Election, the Liberal Democrats achieved a sweeping result, winning six parliamentary seats. 

“It is clear that the Conservatives are running scared and have succeeded in stopping these elections from happening in May, in a desperate attempt to cover up their own abysmal record. Meanwhile, the Labour Government has stood by and done nothing, knowing they can’t win in Surrey. 

“Voters are rightly fed up with this Conservative council and years of financial mismanagement. From endless potholes, to cutting local frontline services, to letting down thousands of children with special educational needs and much more, its record speaks for itself. 

“The Liberal Democrats will continue to be local champions across Surrey and stand up for the issues that truly matter to residents.”

Helen Maguire, Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom & Ewell adds:

”The decision to allow the Conservative-led Surrey County Council to postpone the election and silence the voice of our community is scandalous.

“Whilst I welcome devolution for Surrey, this Conservative-led council cannot be rewarded for their failures. 

“Democracy delayed is democracy denied, and the people of Epsom, Ewell, Ashtead and Leatherhead must be allowed to decide who they think is best to lead Surrey County Council through this time of significant change.”