Lib Dems Seek Talks With Other Election Winners to Set Up New Council

Published on: 8 May, 2019
Updated on: 10 May, 2019

Guildford Liberal Democrats have welcomed the outcome of the elections to Guildford Borough Council on May 2, which followed the pattern of Lib Dem successes in council elections across the UK.

The Lib Dems are now the largest group on the council with 17 councillors. The party held all the seats they had before the election and despite putting up fewer candidates than they did in 2015, eight more Lib Dems were elected in wards across Guildford. The Conservatives crashed, now holding just nine seats, none in the urban area.

Lib Dem council group leader Caroline Reeves said: “We are delighted that all our hard-working councillors have held their seats, and residents have shown their confidence in us by electing new Lib Dem councillors in Burpham and Merrow, as well as replacing Conservatives in Onslow, Stoughton, Westborough, and Friary & St Nicolas.

Cllr Caroline Reeves

“Local people have rejected the Conservative approach in Guildford, and are looking to the Lib Dems and others to offer a fresh start.”

The Liberal Democrat council group is seeking discussions with all the groups on the new council, including R4GV, before the May 15 council meeting to elect the council leader and determine the new administration.

Cllr Reeves added: “The manifestos of all the groups make clear there is far more that unites us than divides us. The residents of the borough have sent a clear message that they expect councillors to work together to tackle the challenges we face.

“The Lib Dems aim to provide the homes local people need and tackle environmental issues such as air pollution and climate change, as well as continuing to provide council services for all our communities.

“With no party in overall control, it is important not to rush the decision, and we will take time to discuss with others how we can all work in the best interest of our residents.”

Responses to Lib Dems Seek Talks With Other Election Winners to Set Up New Council

Susan Parker Reply

May 10, 2019 at 12:13 am

Interesting that GGG have not been invited in this supposed invitation to “all groups”. How surprising.

I’m sure that the Tories and Labour have had their invitations. Plus ca change.

If you wanted a new broom, and voted Lib Dem, you might be disappointed.

Susan Parker is the leader of the Guildford Greenbelt Group at GBC
Valerie Thompson Reply

May 11, 2019 at 10:04 am

Unfortunately, many Lib Dems including Caroline Reeves, backed the Conservatives and voted for the most damaging Local Plan that could have been dreamt up.

It included: no proper plan for central Guildford; no determination to use brownfield sites first; removal of many villages from the green belt (after the Conservatives promised to preserve the green belt in their previous election manifesto); extensions to “Village Envelopes” thus encouraging developers to build even more estates than are in the Plan.

The Conservative Executive ignored and ridiculed those who sent in thousands of objections. There is no realistic way that traffic and other infrastructure can be in place before building applications will be approved.

Shame on the Lib Dems, for failing to invite GGG to talks. Politeness and civility have been left behind. GGG should protest in the strongest terms. Perhaps they should just turn up to the meetings?