Letter: Residents’ Interests Should Come First

Published on: 15 Sep, 2025
Updated on: 15 Sep, 2025

Fiona Davidson

From John Redpath

former R4GV borough councillor

In response to: Fiona Davidson Was a Dedicated Councillor

Fiona Davidson is prime example of what a residents’ party such as R4GV and their councillors stand for. We are prepared to help or negotiate with any political group, or politician, to improve life for all residents.

R4GV was formed by residents on the basis that residents’ interests should always come first.

In comparison, when Julia McShane (Liberal Democrat) was Leader at Guildford Borough Council and Angela Richardson (Conservative) was our MP, as far as I know, they never met formally, either online or in person. The reason? They supported different political views. How on earth could this negativity have benefitted any Guildford resident?

Fiona has been truly amazing in her role as an R4GV county councillor, and I just hope, whoever may win the Guildford South East by-election, is able to hold a candle to her achievements.

My concern is that all those currently running are doing so only for political gain for the two seats currently contested at Surrey County Council which will determine overall control. They are running for the reputation of the national party they claim to represent and, once elected, they will have achieved their goal.

My worry is that another candidate will have been elected, this time to the county council, who will do nothing for, and have little or no regard to the needs of Guildford South East’s residents.

Responses to Letter: Residents’ Interests Should Come First

Angela Richardson Reply

September 15, 2025 at 4:51 pm

I agree that Fiona Davidson was an excellent local councillor and I’m sorry she has stepped down. Her qualities are in the person she is and not the badge she stood under. The same can be said of many local government candidates of all political colours who are interested in making a difference. There are very few that don’t have community interest at heart.

R4GV tried working with the Liberal Democrats in coalition. I would just gently ask John Redpath how that worked out for R4GV? Not that well, as I recall, with Liberal Democrats taking credit for R4GV initiatives. Quelle surprise!

I had decent working relationships with both Caroline Reeves (LD) and Joss Bigmore (R4GV) as respective Leaders of GBC during the incredibly difficult challenges of Covid, but by the time Julia McShane (LD) arrived in office, the best way I could support the people of Guildford was to continue to take on a multitude of GBC related casework (that some councillors were failing residents on) and hold the Liberal Democrat leadership to account on a multitude of failings that were, and still are, making Guildford increasingly poorer.

Perhaps R4GV taught me through their engagement with the Liberal Democrats not to waste my time, so I didn’t. I spent it on helping residents instead.

Angela Richardson is the former Conservative MP for Guildford