Dragon Interview: Catherine Young, R4GV, West Surrey Council Candidate

Published on: 30 Apr, 2026
Updated on: 2 May, 2026

Dragon editor Martin Giles invited leading representatives, from all the political parties standing in the Guildford wards for the new West Surrey Council, to be interviewed.

The interviews, each lasting about 30 minutes, have been conducted by Zoom, over the period April 25-29.

We will, over the next three days, be publishing those interviews, two on each day. The order of publication was drawn from a hat.

This first interview is with Catherine Young of the Residents for Guildford & Villages (R4GV), who is standing in The Horsleys ward. The interview was conducted on Tuesday, April 28.

The next interview will be with Thom van Every of the Conservative Party.

Click here to view other candidate interviews.

Responses to Dragon Interview: Catherine Young, R4GV, West Surrey Council Candidate

David Roberts Reply

May 1, 2026 at 9:44 pm

This is required viewing for anyone who’s serious about the elections next Thursday. A very confident performance by Cllr Young, whose enthusiasm for confronting the challenges faciing the new West Surrey Council is palpable.

Given the scale of those problems – including a £4.5 billion legacy debt and a radical centralisation of Surrey councils that reduces this election to a crude referendum on national politics – I marvel that any independent candidates still want to stand. B

ut here we have an experienced councillor who’s on top of concrete local issues such as flooding, medical provision and policing in a way that her paper-candidate opponents just aren’t.

For grim contrast, masochists should also watch Graham Drage, chair of Reform UK Guildford, endure half and hour on the back foot in his interview with The Dragon editor. A display of glib generalisation, empty promises and nasty undertones.
Su Johnston Reply

May 5, 2026 at 6:32 am

Thanks for that David Roberts and The Guildford Dragon for conducting the interviews.

As David says, in the Horsleys we know first hand how good Catherine Young is. She’s the one candidate who strips politics out of it and just gets on with what matters locally. She knows the area inside out, prioritises what matters, and is consistently positive and responsive. She’s visible, active and communicative. The interview is a good example of her approach – practical and pragmatic.

Can’t think of a single good reason to vote for anyone else!
Jason Best Reply

May 5, 2026 at 9:16 pm

No matter how enthusiastic Cllr Young is, is anyone going to take any notice of an independent candidate without the support of a party in the enlarged West Surrey council.

The West Horsey Parish Council (WHPC) deputy clerk has been communicating with West Horsley residents regarding a letter from GBC wanting to build a car park on the green in Nightingale Avenue for the Raleigh school. The green, owned by GBC will be transferred to West Surrey council.

If we want to save our green spaces and the countryside, we need united groups speaking up to protect them and representing our values and views. I’m afraid one single voice will not be heard and is a wasted vote.
- Catherine Young Reply
  
  May 11, 2026 at 5:29 pm
  
  I have to correct Jason Best.
  
  There are no plans from GBC to look at a car park on the green at Nightingale Crescent (not Avenue as you state which has no green). When I was a member of West Horsley PC I brought the green forward as a Local Green Space for our Neighbourhood Plan which GBC allowed – affording greater than green belt protection.
  
  It is also recognised as public open recreational space – much needed for the houses in the immediate area. I have spoken to residents and advised that they could look at designating it a Community Asset – details for how to do this are on the GBC website and I have, as the current local GBC councillor offered my support.
  
  Mr Best can of course attend a West Horsley Parish Council meeting and bring forward his concerns.
  
  Catherine Young is the R4GV borough councillor for Clandon & Horsley.
Valerie Thompson Reply

May 9, 2026 at 2:27 pm

The Raleigh School was built in the wrong place – down narrow residential roads. A few years ago a local farmer offered fields for free, accessible off the main road of the village, in order to rebuild the school on a larger site with easier access. GBC turned it down. The green, dotted with large treees, behind the Raleigh School serves a cresent of domestic houses. It is not suitable for a car park.
David Roberts Reply

May 14, 2026 at 10:08 pm

As reported above, Cllr Young has now also been chosen as deputy leader of the five-strong Independent group on the new council.

Five out of ninety is not a lot, but it is not a negligible number either, and will ensure that council debates will not always be stitched up by the national parties. Once the current populist bubble pops, as it is bound to, I’m sure the group’s numbers will grow.