Guildford Candidates Get Busy As General Election Looms

Published on: 22 May, 2017
Updated on: 23 May, 2017

Howard Smith canvassing at George Abbot Hospital with his son Stanley.

The candidates for the Guildford constituency have gathered today (May 22) for the first local hustings of 2017 general election campaign.

In fact, there have been two events, both in Cranleigh. The first was led at 5pm in Cranleigh School and the second at 7.30pm at Cranleigh Baptist Church.

Two further hustings have been planned. The first will be this Thursday, May 25 at 6.30pm  at the University of Surrey (Lecture Theatre G (LTG), Theatre Building Block (register to attend via: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/department-politics/events/20170525-general-elections-hustings).

The second this Friday, May 26 7.30 pm at the United Reformed Church, 83 Portsmouth Road, Guildford.

Labour Party Candidate Howard Smith canvassed residents at Abbot’s Hospital last Friday. Accompanied by his 18 month old son Stanley, he spent an hour talking to residents and getting a close look at the iconic alms houses.

Afterwards Smith said: “It was a real pleasure meeting these residents of Guildford who have so much knowledge of the town. I have never before been inside the residents’ flats and it was a real privilege to do so this morning.

With so many people now having postal votes, I hope everyone at Abbot’s will be able to vote in the General Election even if they find it difficult to get out and about.”

Howard’s picture fills the back of three no. 4 and 5 Safeguard buses

Today he posed by buses carrying his picture as campaign adverts.

He said: “Buses are the most important form of travel for so many in Guildford. Let’s be honest, the trains are largely there for the commuters.

“We have so many problems with buses out to the villages and estates. The recent replacement of single deckers with minibuses to Bellfields is a good example.

“Buses need to be better maintained, more frequent and provide a safer way of travelling for the many, not just the privileged few. I wonder how often Anne Milton travels on a bus?”

Zoe Franklin, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Guildford

The Liberal Democrat candidate Zoe Franklin issued a statement: “This election is a huge opportunity for voters in Guildford and Cranleigh to change the direction of our country and prevent a disastrous hard Brexit.

“Last year people in Guildford voted decisively to remain in the EU, and certainly did not vote for the extreme form of Brexit that Theresa May has imposed on us after being backed by Labour.

“But this isn’t just about Brexit. Right now our social care system is collapsing because of government policies, the NHS is on the brink and our schools face average budget cuts of £300 per pupil.

“While the government is cutting taxes for big businesses it is taking an axe to our social safety net for the poorest and most vulnerable in our society.”

A list of all the candidates standing in Guildford follows:

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