May 2026 West Surrey County Council Elections – Guildford South East Ward

Published on: 1 May, 2026
Updated on: 1 May, 2026

Candidates for Local Elections May 2026 for West Surrey County Council – Guildford Area

The old SCC divisions have become the new West Surrey Council wards, each represented by two councillors.

Guildford South East Ward

Each candidate was asked to respond to the following:

Why are you standing for election to the West Surrey County Council on May 7?
What are the two biggest issues in your ward? What will you be able to do about them?
Can you give your word that you will put your residents’ interests before those of your party?

Fiuza, Alex Conservative Party

I’m Alex Fiuza, standing to represent my community in Guildford South East. I’ve lived here for over 11 years and grew up nearby in Effingham. After graduating in Pharmacology, I moved into a career in campaigns, motivated by a desire to make a positive difference.

I’m passionate about protecting what makes Guildford special while addressing its recent decline.

My priorities include improving infrastructure to reduce congestion, making the town more accessible and affordable for visitors, and ensuring new developments respect Guildford’s character through appropriate design and height standards.

Hurst, Veronica Reform – Changing Politics for Good

My background is in finance and operations, which is all about making organisations work efficiently. That’s precisely what is needed locally to restore trust in how public money is managed.

I bring extensive experience in procurement and logistics, having held senior roles in both the charity and private sectors.

Residents are rightly concerned about local services, cost pressures and the state of our community facilities. I will focus on improving efficiency, cutting waste, and ensuring services are delivered reliably.

By applying the same precision and accountability I use in my professional life to the council’s financial and operational functions, I will ensure the cost-effective delivery of high-quality services.

Residents before party? Yes, entirely. My priority is delivering consistency and value for local residents.

King, Vanessa Liberal Democrats

Vanessa came to the UK from Australia twenty‑five years ago with her husband, one child and two suitcases, expecting only a short stay. She built a new life in Guildford, raising three children and forging a 25‑year career in education.

Alongside her professional work, she has spent many years volunteering in a leadership and public‑speaking organisation, helping people of all ages find their confidence and voice. After rebuilding her life following divorce, and through her partner’s involvement in local politics, Vanessa discovered a new way to serve the community she now calls home.

Standing in Guildford South East, Vanessa wants to be a clear, practical voice for residents, helping them resolve everyday issues. She believes education should be accessible to everyone, and that homes must be built in the right places, with suitable infrastructure and affordability. For West Surrey, she is committed to local government that ensures the transition benefits Guildford South East and its residents.

Parker, Charlie Green Party

Profile not provided

Partridge-Waymouth, Claire Marion Reform – Changing Politics for Good

I have spent my career fixing underperforming organisations, and I believe local government shouldn’t be any different.

With over two decades of international experience in finance, technology, and business transformation, I am committed to delivering the practical, results-driven change our local community needs.

Families in South East Guildford are struggling with the cost of living, services and infrastructure. I will focus on cutting inefficiencies and ensuring resources are directed where they make a real difference.

I am particularly focused on improving value for money, increasing transparency in decision-making, and ensuring that council services are responsive, effective and easier to navigate for all residents.

Residents before party? 100%. Results matter far more than rhetoric.

Price, Matt Green Party

Profile not provided

Sussex, Sean Paul Labour Party

I have lived in Guildford for over 5 years now. I love the town, its history and its present. I wish to be a councillor to represent the interests of my constituents on the council and make sure none are ignored. With the new unitary authority coming in it is more important than ever to have labour voices to protect your interests.

Important issues:

The spectrum is one of the largest leisure centres in Surrey, yet there are no direct transport links to it and the Park and Ride remains defunct. This must be rectified.

Parking in the town centre remains extremely difficult and rat running is common. A full review is required and deterrents for rat running introduced.

Thornton, James Sebastion Liberal Democrats

I am new to local politics, having just retired from the Foreign Office, where I rose to be British Ambassador overseas.

My family and I moved to this division in Guildford over ten years ago; I feel very much part of the community. I volunteer with the Samaritans. My wife runs Community Angels, a local befriending scheme. I want us to preserve what makes Guildford special.

My skills in developing policy, building relationships and navigating a bureaucracy to get results will be invaluable if I am elected as a Councillor. The job of bringing together the administrations of six boroughs and half a county will be enormous, with much potential to go wrong; my experience of managing change in large public sector organisations will help me guide it in the right direction. My priority will be to ensure the new council is transparent, collaborative, pragmatic, innovative and genuinely focussed on resident wellbeing.

Van Every, Thom Conservative Party

I am Thom Van Every, Conservative candidate for Guildford South East in West Surrey. I am a medical doctor working in the NHS and a successful entrepreneur, having founded, built and sold two healthcare businesses.

I moved to Guildford South East over 45 years ago and attended primary school in the ward.

I am actively involved in the community, including volunteering at a food bank, serving on a local tennis club committee, and acting as Treasurer of Friends of Guildford Lido.

I want to “get Guildford moving” by supporting policies that strengthen the local economy and improve infrastructure for residents.

Wolfendon, Tim Independent

A long-term Ward resident, I’m dismayed by the level of misinformation, petty party politics and lack of accountability.

Did you know Guildford’s handing the new Unitary a deficit budget (£6M by 2028/9), that it’s sitting on £7M of developers’ funding for education; are you frustrated you cannot contact your councillor? I’m standing to listen to residents and businesses, to help inform and influence the debate and, if elected, collaborate with councillors from all parties to deliver infrastructure and services we expect.

This year, when day-to-day control remains with Guildford and Surrey, I’d shape the Unitary to best meet our community’s needs, retaining Guildford’s unique identity.

Priorities: Potholes: I’d reallocate budgets (eg £300k planning Guildford Parish) for immediate fixes and ensure a long-term maintenance schedule

Housing and development: I’d end the scandal of unoccupied homes, and support a new town centre vision repurposing unwanted retail/office space to housing and community areas