Letter: I Sympathise with Cllr McShane But Town Council Should Be Free of Party Politics

Published on: 16 Sep, 2026
Updated on: 16 Sep, 2026

From John Redpath

Former R4GV borough councillor

In response to: Guildford To Have Town Council with Estimated Extra Annual Tax of £69

For once I sympathise with Cllr Julia McShane’s view.

She was elected to represent one of the least well off wards in our borough and, as such, I fully understand her reservations on the cost of the additional precept to the residents she’s supposed to represent.

But she has been the council leader throughout this process and could have handled the whole situation better had she become involved earlier and led better.

The area of our borough that needs protection the most is the town centre. This is an area that is very special with many listed buildings, its picturesque high street, museum and visitor information office, to name but a few.

The town centre is the core that drives the visitor economy and so much else in the area. Personally, I can’t see how outlying areas such as Merrow, Burpham, Park Barn and Bellfields etc will benefit from having a town council but, in order to protect the town centre, it is essential to have one under the unitary authority heading our way.

Why then were these outlying areas included in the GBC consultation? Could it have been to create a mini-urban borough of Lib Dem councillors? I fear so.

Parish and town councils should be without politics; I’m concerned that what we could end up with is the complete opposite. The Dragon report already shows petty party politics creeping into this decision; Tories against, Lib Dems for.

If the Tories, as Cllrs Hughes and Austin suggest, are against a town council being formed, I hope we won’t see any of their party standing for election to it. That would be one blessing.

Then residents will need to sort out and eject the Lib Dems, which would hopefully clear the field for those who care about urban Guildford first and their political allegiances very much last.

Responses to Letter: I Sympathise with Cllr McShane But Town Council Should Be Free of Party Politics

Peter Coleman Reply

September 17, 2026 at 7:18 am

The reasons John Redpath’s gives for Guildford to have a town council are absolutely correct.

Guildford has a rich heritage and historically Guildford has been Surrey’s county town.

The urban environment of Guildford deserves a town council and it would irresponsible of current councilllors to fail to promote the town centre prposal as part of the local government reorganisation.

Guildford has lacked good leadership and vision for too long. It needs both to ensure it has a healthy future.
Jan Messinger Reply

September 17, 2026 at 8:04 am

I strongly agree that Town and Parish councils should be non-political. Guildford will benefit from local people who live there, with their unique local knowledge, to judge what will benefit not only local residents but encourage people to visit.

Guildford Town has a rich heritage and culture and that should be a focus.

They should resist pressures to make it look like many other towns. Some of the recent developments might not have been the most sensible but now locals can make a difference if they remain non political and just want a great place to live in.
H Trevor Jones Reply

September 17, 2026 at 1:09 pm

I agree with everything said by John Redpath, Peter Coleman, and Jan Messinger.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that key political party members shouldn’t be on the Guildford Town Council, but merely that they must speak as individuals and not push any party line, and that they must be prepared to work with others of any party or none in order to seek a consensus.
Gavin Morgan Reply

September 17, 2026 at 2:22 pm

I add my agreement. It would be inappropriate and counter productive for one political party to dominate decisions because most town councillors belong to it.

That does not mean councillors cannot have political views or belong to political parties but on a town council the town must come first. There is no Executive on a parish or town council.