New Leader for Guildford Lib Dems

Published on: 29 Apr, 2014
Updated on: 30 Apr, 2014

New Lib Dem group leader Cllr Caroline Reeves

Cllr Caroline Reeves has been elected as the new leader of the Liberal Democrat Group at Guildford Borough Council (GBC) replacing Cllr David Goodwin who has been group leader since the last election in 2010.

Cllr Reeves (Friary and St Nicolas) was elected by her fellow Lib Dem Councillors at their annual general meeting last Saturday (25^th April) and automatically becomes the shadow leader at GBC as the political parties start their run up to next year’s borough council elections.

In a press release she said: “David Goodwin has been an invaluable voice of experience as our leader after a difficult time for us. We have all played our own parts in re-establishing ourselves, and now we need to go out to the electorate and engage with our younger residents.

“The aim of all of us is to make life better for those living in our wards and across Guildford Borough. I look forward to working with my deputy Zöe Franklin (Stoke) and the rest of the group to ensure Guildford Liberal Democrats are a voice to be heard, on behalf of our residents across the borough.

“We need to make sure residents are aware of the hard work we do to support them, and we will be using social media much more widely to spread the word.”

Cllr Goodwin who stands down as leader after three years in the role, welcomed his ward colleague as his successor saying: “I’ve seen much change during my years as a councillor on Guildford Borough Council, and, as we face challenges in the years ahead, I am pleased to see a strong councillor at the helm to challenge the Conservative administration.”

Click here to see an exclusive Dragon interview with Cllr Caroline Reeves.

Responses to New Leader for Guildford Lib Dems

Bernard Parke Reply

April 29, 2014 at 10:26 pm

I am sure that we all wish Caroline every success in her new role which certainly will not be an easy one,
Sue Fox Reply

May 1, 2014 at 10:47 am

Hate to be a bore – not really; when we shared power, I know it’s back in the dark ages, we communicated with regular Focus leaflets which asked questions and consulted with our electorate and reported failures and successes.
We raised money to do this by local jumble sales and used our allowances to fund.
We also canvassed – you remember: standing on doorsteps whatever the weather and talked to residents? Jayne Marks and I delivered the whole of the ward in one day. Social media is great for those who use it but not everyone.
Congratulations, enjoy it.
- Caroline Reeves Reply
  
  May 25, 2014 at 11:10 am
  
  Sue, have no fear, there will still be Focus leaflets put through letterboxes to keep our residents up to date, and we do still go out knocking on doors. One of our current campaigns is ’20’s plenty’ in the urban area, lots of town centre residents are signing up to that. And of course we are talking with our residents about the Draft Local Plan and its’ implications. We will be out and about throughout the consultation period in July through to September.Now the EU elections are over we will be concentrating on our wards and our residents.