Letter: Airport Expansion Plan – Council Leader Should Respect the Democratic Process

Published on: 13 Sep, 2026
Updated on: 13 Sep, 2026

Farnborough Airport SHBC

From Jane Austin

Conservative leader of the opposition at West Surrey Shadow Council

I was concerned to read the report: Airport Expansion Plans: ‘An Example Of An Issue At The Heart Of The Climate Crisis’, suggesting that West Surrey Council is “set to fight” the proposed expansion of Farnborough Airport.

The article reports comments made by Paul Follows, the Lib Dem leader at the West Surrey Shadow Council and Waverley Borough Council. A a meeting of the borough council he said: “It is also my intention to establish West Surrey’s opposition to this sort of development as well”, adding that he was sure there would be support across West Surrey.

Whatever individual councillors’ views on the expansion of Farnborough Airport, this statement is a concerning affront to democratic process.

West Surrey Shadow Authority has not debated or taken any position regarding Farnborough airport.

The new West Surrey Council has 90 councillors representing nearly 700,000 residents. Policy decisions should be made through proper democratic process – with councillors fully informed, proposals properly considered and debated, and decisions taken by a vote.

I was at the Waverley meeting, where Cllr Follows also spoke about his proposed future structure for West Surrey’s planning committees – something not yet discussed or decided at West Surrey.

This was news to West Surrey councillors, who should not be learning about plans for their own council through announcements made at an entirely different council. Must West Surrey councillors really tune in to Waverley meetings to find out what is being proposed for their own authority?

Time and again we appear to see Cllr Follows speaking on behalf of West Surrey Council on matters which West Surrey Council itself has not yet determined.

The shadow council leader is of course entitled to express his own views. But there is an important distinction between saying “this is what I believe West Surrey should do” and presenting an intention as though it is already the position of the council.

Responses to Letter: Airport Expansion Plan – Council Leader Should Respect the Democratic Process

George Potter Reply

September 14, 2026 at 11:16 am

I would remind Cllr Austin that there was an election for the West Surrey Shadow Authority which her party lost.

It is very normal for the Leader and Executive of a council to determine the council’s official position, in response to a consultation, without it needing to go through full council. The Conservative leadership of Surrey County Council, for example, announced opposition to ULEZ in London without seeking full council approval first.

But, as usual with Cllr Austin, if the Liberal Democrats do it, having won a democratic election, then whatever it is must be an affront to democracy. If the Conservatives do it, even after cancelling an election to avoid being chucked out of power, then it must be fine and dandy.

The one thing you can count on to be consistent with Cllr Austen is her inconsistency.

George Potter is a Lib Dem borough, county, and West Surrey Shadow Authority councillor
Jeremy Holt Reply

September 14, 2026 at 12:55 pm

Perhaps this is a good reason for preventing councillors from wearing (and being paid for) more than one “hat” ie sitting on more than one council.

They would then have to concentrate on only one area of power.