In Hindhead, home of Conservative MP Jeremy Hunt’s constituency office, Lib Dem Julian Spence gained the Waverley Borough Council seat from the Conservatives, taking 55% of the vote.
It was a double win for the Lib Dems there as Conrad Waters gained the Town Council seat from the Conservatives, securing the support of 54% of voters.
The new Borough Councillor for Hindhead, Julian Spence, said:
“I’m humbled by the support both Conrad and I have received from residents in Hindhead and Beacon Hill – thank you! We will do our absolute best for this area, continue listening to your concerns and working hard to deliver on your priorities.”
Meanwhile, in Godalming Lib Dem Tom Kiehl stormed to victory in the Town Council contest there, winning a mammoth 74% share of the vote with the Conservatives picking up just 26%.
The results come as the Lib Dems nationally celebrate a historic victory in the Westminster seat of Tiverton and Honiton, where Richard Foord overturned an enormous Conservative majority of more than 24,000 on a record-breaking swing of 29.9%. In comparison, a swing of only just over 7% is required here in South West Surrey for the Lib Dems to gain the constituency from the Conservatives at the next general election.
The Tiverton & Honiton result follows other recent parliamentary by-election wins for the Lib Dems in traditionally ‘safe’ Conservative seats, Chesham and Amersham and North Shropshire.
Paul Follows, Lib Dem leader of Waverley Borough Council, said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Julian, Conrad and Tom to the team of local Lib Dem councillors. I know they will make fantastic additions and work hard for residents.
“These results show once again that it is the Lib Dems that are winning across the South West Surrey constituency, and are on course to win the seat at the next general election.
“Talking to residents during the campaign, it’s clear that they have had enough of being taken for granted and failed by the Conservatives. People feel ignored by a Conservative party that is completely out of touch with their values and priorities.
"In contrast, they can see the hard work the Lib Dems are doing on local councils to deliver for our communities. They know the Lib Dems not only listen to them, but actually get things done to make our area a better place to live.”
It was a clean sweep for Liberal Democrats at the May 2023 town & parish council elections, as residents elected every Lib Dem to a total of 24 seats and created a Lib Dem majority on Haslemere Town Council.
Lib Dems have won a total of 22 seats in the May 2023 Waverley Borough elections, making us the largest party with a clear and positive manifesto for the next four years.
Progress on 20mph limits for Haslemere, as championed by volunteers at Haslemere Active Travel and Lower Street residents, is being made after Lib Dem Cllr Terry Weldon's motion was backed at the Town Council.
Dave Busby wins over a safe Tory seat with a stunning 66% of the vote in the latest Waverley by-election. Residents' issues have been his priority while the Tory campaign was marred by controversy.
Waverley Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that they have reselected local campaigner and leader of Waverley Borough Council, Paul Follows, to be the prospective Lib Dem candidate for South West Surrey at the next general election.
Liberal Democrats celebrating extraordinary by-election victory in North Shropshire
