May 2026 West Surrey County Council Elections – Horsleys 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.

Horsleys 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?

Barnes, John Howard Labour Party

Profile not provided

Booth, Dennis George William Residents for Guildford and Villages

I am standing for election because I currently represent the Horsley Ward and the residents know that I have worked tirelessly for them during this time. I am a resident focussed voice for our villages.

I am a previous Borough Councillor and former Mayor of Guildford and a current County Councillor. have often proved often that I can support the residents and deliver to the people in our villages, arranging for numerous projects to be delivered.

The major concerns in Horsley are the poor state of our roads and it is a constant battle to have them repaired. The frightening level of debt put on West Surrey is a big worry to everyone and I will continue to fight for that debt not to be put on local residents.

As an Independent I do not owe any allegiance to a National Party and will always be putting our residents’ interests first.

Daniilidou, Elena Green Party

Profile not provided

Evans, David Timothy Conservative Party

David has lived in the local area for over 10 years and is already an active member in the community through coaching local football and acting as a Trustee Governor for a local schools Academy Trust.

A husband and a father to two small boys first, David also works in business improvement. having had a first career as an Officer in the British Army, seeing oversees Service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Motivated by a growing frustration with how things feel both locally and nationally, David is committed to ensuring residents have a strong voice in the decisions that shape our collective everyday lives.

David is particularly focused on championing local businesses, securing value for money in the use of public funds, and making sure any new developments genuinely reflect local needs.

Kekwick, Olly Liberal Democrats

I’m Olly Kekwick, and I’m running because I believe our community deserves a new voice that is both aware of the current issues in Horsley and Effingham and committed to building a positive, sustainable future for all residents.

As someone who actively works at Grange Park Opera, I have seen first hand the unique character of our villages and the importance of preserving the institutions and natural spaces that make people want to stay and invest in our communities.

As a university student, I bring new energy and ideas to the table, balanced by a firm commitment to finding effective solutions. Having personally navigated the challenges of the SEN system, I’m not just aware of policy, I understand the importance of ensuring every person regardless of their background or status has the support they need to prosper.

Rehorst-Smith, Merel Astrid Liberal Democrats

Dr Merel Rehorst- Smith is a ward and Parish councillor for Effingham since 2023 and sits on the Executive as portfolio holder for Regulatory Services at Guildford Borough Council.

Merel lives in Effingham and has worked locally as a veterinary surgeon including 10 years in East Horsley. She became involved in local politics because her kids attend the Howard of Effingham and is currently very disappointed that the new school has fallen through and working with Zöe Franklin to deliver a new school. If elected, Merel hopes to improve children’s social care, inspired by her own first hand experience of the challenges young people face.

Sargeant, Martin Reform – Changing Politics for Good

I have spent my career improving performance and delivering results, and I want to bring that mindset into local government.

As a senior business leader with deep roots in West Surrey, I have both grown up and raised my family here and am dedicated to building a council that works efficiently.

Residents want reliable services, safe communities and sensible development. I will focus on cutting waste, eliminating inefficiency and ensuring the council delivers consistently on its promises.

I am committed to respectful engagement and listening to local concerns to restore confidence in our council by focusing on outcomes that make a tangible difference to people’s everyday lives.

Residents before party? Without hesitation. If it doesn’t work for residents, it doesn’t work at all.

Short, Isaac Thomas Green Party

Profile not provided

Tough, Sam Conservative Party

Sam Tough is standing as a strong and fresh voice for the villages in Horsleys ward, focused on protecting what makes them such special places to live. New to local politics with a varied background, he brings energy, enthusiasm, and a problem-solving approach to getting things done for residents.

He is campaigning on a platform of resurfacing poor-quality roads, protecting green spaces from reckless overdevelopment, holding developers to account, and supporting local businesses in every way possible. He will be a strong voice for efficiency and transparency at the new West Surrey Council.

A proud Conservative, he holds the values of family, responsibility, and enterprise, and is determined to achieve practical results for the community. Sam has spent the last few weeks and months talking to people about local issues and he hopes to speak to more residents in the remaining weeks of the campaign.

Walter, Henry Lewis Reform – Changing Politics for Good

My work in compliance and finance is all about accountability, and I believe local government would benefit greatly from that same mindset.

Having been raised in Surrey, I am committed to serving the community I know so well and bringing the professionalism I have developed in the charity and medical research sector back into local decision-making.

In The Horsleys, residents care deeply about preserving the character of the area while ensuring services function well.

I will focus on controlling spending, tackling financial waste, and advocating for tighter processes and greater scrutiny of spending to ensure taxpayer money is used effectively and responsibly.

Residents before party? Yes, every time. It’s taxpayer money, after all.

Young, Catherine Residents for Guildford and Villages

I’m standing for election because the Horsley Ward will need a determined and motivated voice to speak up for you.

I have a proven track record of doing this during my eight years’ experience as your local councillor. I have lived in the Horsley’s for 26 years, serving as a parish councillor, chairing our local climate group, setting up our Repair Café, am a member of our Local Flood Forum and I sit on the Surrey Hills Board.

The three main issues residents have raised with me whilst campaigning are the threat of increased council tax, the state of our roads, and the attack on our countryside through the volume of development.

As your councillor I will fight against the harmonisation of Council Tax, scrutinise the way our roads are fixed and repaired, and lobby for greater protection of our countryside.

I will always put residents’ interests first before party politics, and I hope I can count on your support to be a voice for our villages.