May 2026 West Surrey County Council Elections – Guildford East Ward

Published on: 1 May, 2026
Updated on: 1 May, 2026

Candidates for Local Elections May 2026 for West Surrey County Council – Guildford Area

The old SCC divisions have become the new West Surrey Council wards, each represented by two councillors.

Guildford East Ward

Each candidate was asked to respond to the following:

Why are you standing for election to the West Surrey County Council on May 7?
What are the two biggest issues in your ward? What will you be able to do about them?
Can you give your word that you will put your residents’ interests before those of your party?

Abrams, Robert Dowsett Reform – Changing Politics for Good

I spent my career making organisations run efficiently, working primarily at the Bank of England. Local government is long overdue for that kind of professional focus, and I am eager to bring my technical expertise and understanding of organisational efficiency to ensure our council runs effectively.

Residents want better value for money and real attention paid to everyday issues like road quality and neighbourhood upkeep. I will push to prioritise core services, cut all unnecessary spending, and move away from peripheral initiatives.

My focus is on maintaining a disciplined, focused and accountable council that delivers genuine value for the people of Guildford East.

Residents before party? Without question. Good decisions are about outcomes for our community, not political labels.

Heilbron, Adam Stewart Conservative Party

I’m Adam Heilbron, the Conservative candidate for Guildford East on West Surrey Council. As a lifelong Burpham resident, I’m proud to stand to represent Burpham and Merrow.

I was raised locally and educated at George Abbot School and the University of Surrey. I’ve served on committees for community organisations and worked with Guildford’s former Conservative MP to deliver for residents.

If elected, I’ll campaign for the first hour free in Guildford’s car parks, scrap the Lib Dem three-hour minimum charge, ensure residents’ voices shape the Gosden Hill proposal, and back strong plans to resurface our roads.

Humphries, David Ian Conservative Party

I’m David Humphries, standing for Guildford East in West Surrey. I’m a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, with nearly 40 years’ experience in senior finance roles across oil and gas, renewable energy, and construction.

I’ve worked on major projects, ensuring strong financial controls, and now advise a company helping homeowners create greener, more sustainable homes. I also volunteered for many years with Young Enterprise at George Abbot School, supporting sixth form students.

I’ve lived in Guildford for 35 years, including nine within the division.

Machado Luis Green Party

Profile not provided

McKeown, Lisa Rose Green Party

Profile not provided

Noble, Moira Kathleen Labour Party

I want to ask the common-sense questions people in Merrow and Burpham want answered, making sure those elected do their jobs with attention and rigour. Why do we have dozens of empty council houses in Guildford but over 2,000 on the waiting list? Who is ensuring that utility companies and contractors maintain and patch roads properly to stop the endless round of quick-fix poorly repaired potholes.

I want to tackle two big local issues, firstly Gosden Hill is not an appropriate site for a 1,700 housing development, with the potential to have a devastating environmental and infrastructural impact on our community.

Also, the absence of GP and pharmacy services in Burpham, which additionally puts unacceptable pressures on the provision in Merrow.

I will always put the interest of those who elect me first, which is why I am opposed to the Gosden development despite my Party’s policy on house building.

Paul, Dennis Reform – Changing Politics for Good

I’ve worked in housing and public services for many years managing a range of frontline services. I am committed to public service and feel now is the time to get involved to address the challenges this new authority will face, so hope to apply my experience to improve services and provide better value for money.

In Guildford East, flooding, housing pressures, and protecting green spaces are key concerns. I will press for proper infrastructure commitments with tight controls on development.

Tackling the new West Surrey Council’s debt crisis of £4.5billion debt burden will be a key challenge, so I shall endeavour to hold Council chiefs to account for the taxpayer’s money they spend to ensure debts reduce and services improve.

Residents before party? Absolutely. When you engage, involve and listen to residents it makes for delivering better service outcomes for the community.

Potter, George Matthew Liberal Democrats

George Potter, age 35, lives in Burpham, where he works as a software engineer and volunteers at the community cafe. He has represented Burpham as a borough councillor for seven years and has represented Merrow and Burpham as a county councillor for five years.

His priorities for the West Surrey Council are fixing the finances, by dealing with the £4.5 billion debt burden, fixing roads and public services, and protecting our natural environment and greenspaces.

As a local councillor he has championed safer speed limits in residential streets, got roads and footpaths repaired, led pioneering action on climate change at the borough council, and is widely known locally for his regular updates about local issues on social media.

He also holds monthly councillor drop-ins for residents to come speak to him about issues and wants to ensure that infrastructure issues with the proposed Gosden Hill development are properly addressed.

Shaw, Joanne Helen Liberal Democrats

Joanne Shaw lives in Merrow where she works in IT, volunteers for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, and is a local borough councillor. She has called Guildford home for thirteen years, raising her daughter here who went to George Abbot school. She wants to continue working to represent the community on the new West Surrey Council.

Her priorities for the West Surrey Council are fixing the finances, by dealing with the £4.5 billion debt burden, fixing roads and public services, and protecting our natural environment and greenspaces.

As a councillor she holds monthly councillor drop-ins for residents and works closely with local residents associations. On the council she has worked to ensure resident voices are heard on controversial planning applications and has chaired the climate change board and the standards committee.

Local issues she focuses on include the Gosden Hill development and addressing flooding issues through the local flood forum.