Guildford Conservatives Elect New Chairman

Published on: 4 Apr, 2013
Updated on: 7 Apr, 2013

Alan Young, the new chairman of the Guildford Conservative Association

As the county prepares for the forthcoming County Council elections the members of the Guildford Conservative Association have elected a new chairman.

Alan Young was elected on Friday 22 March, following a lively hustings meeting in a packed village hall in Bramley. He attracted 88 votes whilst his opponent, Guildford Borough councillor Matt Furniss, received 50,a majority of 60% . There were no abstentions.

At the selection meeting Mr Young said, “I want to reach out to the ninety-eight percent of Conservative voters in the Guildford constituency with whom the Party currently has little or no contact. And heralding the forthcoming elections, he committed to offer “every support” to Conservative candidates and elected representatives.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Young said, “With around one hundred and fifty people in the room, there can be little doubt that democracy is alive and well in the Conservative Party.

“The high turnout and the interest Conservative members took in this election are testimony to the vitality of the Conservatives in Guildford and the surrounding villages.

“I look forward to working with Conservative colleagues across the constituency to build on our reputation in office for good governance and financial prudence.”

Mr Young is a partner in an investment firm and lives in Wonersh. He is no stranger to frontline politics having been elected to Surrey County Council less than two years ago in a fiercely contested by-election where he beat UKIP’s star candidate from Eastleigh, Diane James, to secure an increased Conservative majority.

The two deputy chairmen (Marjorie Bayliss, membership and fundraising, and Christian Holliday, political) and the Treasurer (Jonathan Compton) were re-elected unopposed once other candidates, supporters of Cllr Furniss had withdrawn having ascertained the chairmanship result.

Mr Young speaking to The Guildford Dragon NEWS today (Thursday, April 4th) said: “The Conservative Party in Guildford has been the driving force in our local and national politics for decades. I want to see more people from Guildford and the surrounding villages involved in the party and shaping its future direction.

“We have a wealth of intellectual and professional talent in Guildford and I know how much the party can benefit from this. Many of the people I meet socially are fascinated by politics, both locally and at Westminster, and I would encourage anyone who shares this interest to get involved with the Guildford Conservatives.

“As Chairman, I shall ensure that the voice of Conservatives in Guildford is heard nationally in the party. So if you feel strongly about an issue, come and join us and get stuck into the debate.

“I would like to pay tribute to the hard work carried out by our local councillors and our member of parliament, Anne Milton. I and the party will be there to support them, both at and between elections, and I look forward to our councillors becoming more closely involved with the Association during my term as chairman.”

Mr Young declined to say how many members were in the Association. He replaces Andrew Colborne-Baber who has retired having served three years, the normal maximum tenure for the post.

The Guildford parliamentary constituency covers Guildford, Worplesdon, Stoke, Stoughton, Compton, Artington, Shackleford, Seale, Shalford, Wonersh, Blackheath, Shamley Green, Cranleigh, Ewhurst and Alfold.

Responses to Guildford Conservatives Elect New Chairman

Bernard Parke Reply

April 4, 2013 at 10:40 pm

Good luck to him.

He will need it.

Bernard Parke

Former Conservative Chairman

(Now not a member of any political party.)