Meet Your By-Election Candidates: Claire Whitehouse for Greens

Published on: 13 Oct, 2025
Updated on: 13 Oct, 2025

Claire Whitehouse

The upcoming by-election for the Surrey County Council Guildford South-East division will be held later this week, Thursday October 16, following the resignation of Cllr Fiona Davidson.

The Guildford Dragon asked the standing candidates about their policies and perspectives.

This is what Claire Whitehouse, the Green Party candidate, had to say.

Why should the voters of Guildford South East vote for you and your party?

“The Green Party aims to build fairer, greener communities by setting high ambitions for the quality of our services.

“This is what I would aim to do as a councillor, if elected, by holding the controlling group on the council to account on their strategic planning and, more specifically, on education, transport and highways.”

Should voters consider national issues in a county council by-election?

“Voters have an opportunity to focus on local issues and to decide whether the Council is working in their best interests to address key issues and provide high-quality services.

“If voters think this isn’t happening, then they decide which candidate would better represent them at the local level.”

What are the three main issues in the Guildford South-East division?

“Residents are concerned about the cost of living, parking (the cost and complexity of parking restrictions) and supporting a vibrant economy in Guildford that brings in and keeps local jobs that provide a decent wage.

“As a Green councillor, I would push for bolder and broader action to tackle these local issues, especially to support local businesses.”

What qualities would you bring to the role of county councillor?

“With a background in science, engineering and education, I have a skill set that enables me to question and analyse information and ask the questions which lead to sound decision making and solving problems.

“I’m also open-minded to listening to all views, which helps to build collaborative partnerships and team working.”

What is your view of the local government reorganisation proposals? Do you think unitary authorities are preferable to the existing system and will truly save money?

“Under the LGR proposals a lot of control will rest with the mayor’s office, deciding strategy for the unitary authority.

“There is a need to counter-balance this with strong representation at the very local level. Three sub-unitary authorities for Surrey and a Guildford town with three new parishes would go a long way to providing this.

“Saving money is a laudable aim so long as it doesn’t negatively impact our services – elected councillors need to monitor this.”

How important are environmental issues to Guildford?

“With 85 per cent of Surrey residents in a recent survey saying climate and the environment are important to them, environmental issues are very important to Guildford.

“These include: air pollution due to traffic congestion; pollution of the River Wey due to sewage dumping by Thames Water; and the erosion of green spaces.

“If elected as a county councillor these are challenges that I would seek to influence to protect and restore nature – so that it and we flourish together.”

Is there a single improvement Surrey Police could make to law enforcement locally?

“Visibility in both crime prevention and in the way they respond to the public in terms of timeliness of complaint handling.”

Can you promise to put your constituents first, before any party loyalty?

“Green councillors are not told how to vote by party HQ. Therefore, I’m free to be an independent voice for the constituents of Guildford South East. I do not have to toe a party line or get involved with political in-fighting.”