Meet Your By-Election Candidates: John Redpath for Residents for Guildford and Villages

Published on: 13 Oct, 2025
Updated on: 14 Oct, 2025

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 of R4GV.

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

This is what John Redpath, the Residents for Guildford and Villages candidate, had to say…

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

“I’m the candidate who will happily work with any other political group in order to support residents.

“I’m the only candidate who has lived in Guildford South East for more than 30 years and I have extensive knowledge of the area and its problems. My election priorities will help improve life for residents going forward.”

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

“National issues should not be used as a tool to win the election in Guildford South East, unless relevant.

“For instance, the up-and-coming Unitary proposals and the new National Planning Policy Framework, which has doubled the housing requirement in this area, should be considered.”

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

1. “Environment (pollution, congestion, road conditions, parking and flooding.)”

2. “Difficulty in staffing town centre businesses in an expensive area.”

3. “The high price of housing for younger buyers.”

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

“I have experience as a councillor at GBC, involving, at times, working with SCC. Living in the division, I know what’s important to residents.”

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?

“There can be financial benefits from economies of scale and having only one authority, however, the change is being pushed through too quickly by central government with little thought or planning.

“We’ll end up with something that doesn’t work and that will initially increase the cost of services.

“For instance, a huge investment will be required to address Incompatible IT systems alone. Ultimately, it may be 10 years or more before there will be savings, but sadly, at the cost of local democracy.”

How important are environmental issues to Guildford?

“Very Important! With the high pollution levels detected in Guildford both in the air and in the river over the last two years, environmental issues must come to the fore.

“Park and Ride needs restructuring, wildlife must be included and accounted for better in new housing schemes, sewage treatment needs better governance, and spraying of toxic weedkillers must stop.

“Flooding is an important issue in the town centre and will become more prevalent with changing global weather patterns.”

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

“In August 2025, there were 99 reported incidents of shoplifting in Guildford Town Centre. This is now the most prevalent crime. Not enough is being done to tackle shoplifting, and it is likely to get worse.”

“On an occasional basis, the police should staff a property in the town centre, as a deterrent that will also improve reporting and offer a rapid response to town centre crime. Thieves take advantage of the remote/virtual policing we currently have.”

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

“Residents always have and always will come first and foremost for me.”