Letter: Lib Dems Should Take a Long, Hard Look at Themselves

Published on: 26 Jan, 2026
Updated on: 25 Jan, 2026

Cllrs Julia McShane and Catherine Houston

From Angela Richardson

former Conservative MP for Guildford

In response to: Lib Dems Remain Puzzled By Leader’s Decision to Sack Executive Member

The situation in the Liberal Democrat group at GBC doesn’t sound like leadership but autocracy. There is also very little in the way of openness and transparency.

The Guildford Dragon NEWS has been granted very little in terms of interviews with Julia McShane in the time that she has been leader but bravo to The Dragon for using its reporting skills to keep local residents informed.

The council leader should have done the honourable thing and resigned her roles when it became clear that her portfolio was the subject of a massive overspend and the subject of a criminal investigation. She should have given someone else an opportunity to make good.

Instead we have had a litany of “lessons learned” and very little in the way of any demonstrable change. Now this decrepit council is on its last legs, limping towards being incorporated into a new Unitary Council where I’m sure they hope for a fresh start and that their multitude of sins will be washed away.

The Lib Dems are so pious and judgemental of others. Perhaps they should take a long, hard look at themselves.

Editor’s comment: The Dragon requested an interview with the council leader in late December and is still awaiting a response.

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