May 2026 West Surrey County Council Elections – Guildford North 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 Surrey County Council divisions have become the new West Surrey Council wards, each represented by two councillors.

Guildford North 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?

Bispham, Ben Reform – Changing Politics for Good

I run my own IT agency and spend my days solving real problems for local businesses. I am standing for election because I believe our concerns are too often ignored by the mainstream parties, and I’m ready to apply those same practical, problem-solving skills at a larger scale to improve our community.

Residents frequently raise concerns about road conditions, housing and a lack of support for sole traders. I will focus on practical fixes and ensure council spending delivers improvements that make people’s lives easier.

I’m committed to fighting for better traffic management and high street support, ensuring that council decisions are based on the everyday frustrations I see in my work frequently.

Residents before parties? Yes, otherwise what’s the point? People expect results, not excuses, and I will always prioritise the community’s voice.

Chandler, Adrian Stuart Conservative Party

Adrian is retired, having spent a career in computing with experience in insurance, retail, transport and telecoms.

Adrian served on Guildford Borough Council from 2011 to 2019, and served on the Planning, Tenants, Special Projects and Scrutiny committees, the latter as chairman. Special Projects included the Weyside regeneration project.

Adrian continues to be involved in various residents’ groups and is also involved in railway, arts and music organisations.

Adrian aims to ensure good delivery of the Weyside project and apply planning expertise to local issues.

Crosta, Marco Green Party

A life-long Guildford/Surrey resident, Marco has been serving the community since growing up cooking in his local family restaurant, before going into creative design and promoting Guildford’s entertainment industries, continuing to encourage local business within his wife’s millinery studio and keeping his toes firmly in the community working also as a postman.

When he’s not pounding pavements he loves nothing more than treading water, with a passion for aquatics and love for Surrey’s waterways. Marco has been a proud protector of marine life and certified as a open-water lifeguard, is naturally heartbroken by the pollution Thames Water has been allowed to flood into our rivers and streams; he could not be more dedicated to doing everything in his power to bring the Wey and its navigations back to their natural beauty, along with the thriving wildlife, social life and business opportunities that it would regenerate.

McAlpine, Stuart James Green Party

I started my career in live events in Guildford 17 years ago, working in the arts spaces our town is proud to cultivate. Living the mindset of: real life doesn’t pause and reset, you fix problems now while everything is moving.

My young family is here. We should feel proud of and safe in Guildford, yet too many people see a managed decline while families struggle. Residents face sky-high rents in uninhabitable mouldy homes that make children sick. Schools unable to provide enough wraparound care, SEND provision harder to access. Our river is dangerously polluted, sewage levels far beyond safe limits, and a stench that infects our homes.

Greens in the room make a difference by acting on solutions: Bringing schools back into local authority support to improve SEND and wraparound care, clamping down on rogue landlords renting unsafe mould-ridden homes, introducing stricter local oversight and enforcement to stop sewage dumping.

It’s time to end stagnation and reverse managed decline.

Miah, Masuk Liberal Democrats

I’m a local business owner and have been a proud Lib Dem supporter for 30 years. For the last seven years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as your Borough Councillor for Stoughton and Stoughton South, focusing on getting things done for our neighbourhood. From working with PCSOs to tackle anti-social behavior at QE Park to planting trees at Stoughton Rec for flood relief and putting in the Woodbridge Hill planters, I’ve always put our community first.

Looking ahead, I want to build bridges between our different faiths and ethnicities—unity is so important in today’s divided political climate. I’ll keep working with the police to stop shoplifting and make sure our highways budget is actually spent fixing Guildford North’s potholes.

I’m out campaigning and talking to you on your doorsteps every single week to ensure your concerns are heard. I have the experience, I know our streets, and I’m ready to keep working hard for everyone in Guildford North.

O’Brien, Neil Edward Conservative Party

Neil O’Brien is a Conservative candidate for Guildford North in the proposed West Surrey unitary.

A local resident for twenty years, Neil is a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years’ experience leading teams, managing change and making tough decisions. He has built, scaled and sold businesses and now advises companies as an investor and non-executive director.

Neil is standing to bring straightforward, accountable leadership to local government. His priorities are bringing empty homes back into use, tackling anti-social behaviour, fixing parking pressures, and ensuring council tax is spent wisely on the services residents rely on.

Rouse, Ann Catherine Labour and Cooperative Party

I am standing as a Labour and Co-operative Candidate in this election because I believe in community and I do not believe the current County Councillor has served this community. I get frustrated when I refer residents to the current Councillor and they hear nothing back. I want residents to know they have a voice.

The two issues I hear about most on the doorstep is the lack of decent, affordable transport with reliable services that families can afford to use. They and we want to cut down on emissions, but the council must provide the means to do it. The second is the difficulty parents have finding appropriate SEND provision for their children. I spoke to someone the other day who has two children with disabilities, yet he has struggled to get any response from the council with regard to their needs.

I absolutely can reassure residents that a vote for me will be a vote for a community champion. I will hold regular surgeries, and I will be there to listen to residents and do everything in my power to support them. I will not be that person who receives emails from local members of the community and does not respond.

Sallis, Aiden Christopher Wetherill Reform – Changing Politics for Good

The Navy taught me that accountability is paramount. I want to bring that same culture of responsibility and service into our local government.

Having grown up nearby in Shepperton, I settled in Guildford for its thriving economy and green spaces, and I am determined to preserve those qualities while ensuring the town grows responsibly and sustainably.

Infrastructure, housing balance and fair investment are the key challenges in Guildford North. I will push for smarter planning to ensure all development is matched by necessary roads, services, and community needs. I will use my experience in local government recruitment to identify where money is wasted and redirect those resources into proper housing, infrastructure, and the frontline public services our residents deserve.

Residents before parties always. You serve the people in front of you, not a party line.

Steel, Katie Liberal Democrats

I am seeking election to the West Surrey Council, building on my three years of experience serving as the local councillor for Stoughton South. My professional life has been defined by a long-standing commitment to public service within the healthcare and education sectors.

I currently work at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, where I support the delivery of essential care to our local community. Prior to my career in the NHS, I spent 12 years working in the education sector, which included time at a deaf academy. These roles have provided me with a first hand perspective on the challenges facing our public services and the necessity of inclusive, accessible support for all residents.

If elected to represent Guildford North, I intend to focus on the following priorities: Public Transport: Improving the reliability and reach of our local transport network, SEN Support: Strengthening Special Educational Needs provision to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive, Community Safety: Working collaboratively to ensure our neighbourhoods remain safe and welcoming.

I look forward to applying my experience in public service to continue advocating for the residents of Guildford North.