There are local elections today in districts and unitaries across England, though not everywhere. Areas which have four year all-in all-out elections are not going to the polls, such as London, together with some that have a slightly different election cycle.
These elections are important for us because they are a real test of Ed Davey’s blue-wall strategy, targeting areas where we have come second to the Tories in Westminster. Places to watch out for in the South East are the neighbouring districts of Elmbridge, Guildford and Mole Valley, all of which lie within Surrey County.
In Elmbridge we are in control alongside some Independent Residents. The district includes whole of Domini Raab’s constituency of Esher and Walton, where we are less than 300 votes behind.
In Guildford we are the largest party and in coalition with a Residents Group. A large chunk of the district lies within the Guildford constituency where the Conservatives have a majority of less than 4,000.
We are also in control in Mole Valley District. The Westminster constituency includes the whole of the District plus some parts of Guildford District, but has remained loyal to the long-serving Conservative Paul Beresford.
Woking District lies adjacent to Elmbridge and Guildford and Lib Dems are in control. And next to that is Surrey Heath, the home of Michael Gove’s constituency and a District Council, where we would love to increase our numbers.
Further south, we should also be watching Winchester, Eastbourne and Lewes.
Winchester Constituency occupies half of Winchester District Council, where we are firmly in control. In 2019 we came within 1000 votes of winning back the Westminster seat, which we had held in the past.
Down in Lewes the District Council sits within the slightly larger constituency of the same name. Lewes Council is hung, with Lib Dems in second position. We came close to regaining the constituency in 2019. We do control neighbouring Eastbourne Council and would love to retake the Westminster seat which encompasses it.
The weather is fine, which should encourage turnout, but on the other hand the controversial requirement for voters to present photographic ID may well supress voting.
The Conservatives have been indulging in some damage limitation by predicting substantial losses – anything less will count as a victory of sorts.
I’m off to help in Elmbridge so will add to this post later.
* Mary Reid is a contributing editor on Lib Dem Voice. She was a councillor in Kingston upon Thames, where she is still very active with the local party, and is the Hon President of Kingston Lib Dems.
Follow @libdemvoice.org on Bluesky
Like us on Facebook
Subscribe to our feed
Sign-up for our daily email digest
Six council by-elections, spread over two days
Carers remain forgotten in government's welfare overhaul
Steffan Aquarone's Commons debate on coastal communities
Getting things done - Saggar Street - an update #dundeewestend
Loving our neighbours
Getting the basics right
Nick Baird
Jonathan Calder
Roland
Joseph Bourke
9 Comments
On Topic – comparing the Polls with 4 Years ago would suggest that We will make small Net Gains at best. If We make significant Net Gains that would suggest Strong Tactical voting – an optimistic pointer to The General Election.
Off Topic – I just hope that there are some protests at the Tory attempt at Voter Suppression.
Mary, I think you’ll find that Michael Gove’s Surrey Heath seat largely coincides with Surrey Heath council!
And Woking DC largely coincides with the Woking parliamentary constituency! Which is a credible LD target.
Mary, with the greatest respect of far more importance is how we perform in places like Liverpool, Manchester, Bolton, Leeds, Sheffield, Kirklees, Bradford, Newcastle, Lancaster etc.
15 years ago we were a national party will we get that back?
@theakes – you are right, of course. I was writing of which I know. Maybe you could write a post for us?
As Paul Barker explains, these local elections are a tough test and there will need to be serious revue of where the Party is heading, with careful consideration of pluses and minuses.
@Chris Moore Thanks for pointing out my silly error – now corrected.
Hello, Mary,
There’s an excellent book: Being Wrong By Katryn Schultz, well worth reading if you haven’t already.
A central thread is that errors are ubiquitous and inevitable.
So please don’t feel bad: everyone makes errors all the time.
The turnout figures will be interesting. I am hoping, perhaps vainly that displeasure with the Conservatives will bring out more voters. I doubt that turnout will drop, which Tories will claim means that photo ID is OK.
Absolute turnout figures will again likely be low and this is the real issue. There is a need to encourage engagement in local politics, but the Tories (and to a lesser extent Labour) are more than happy to create disincentives.
Should we not be thinking about our position in the event of a hung parliament next year where Labour is the largest party by booth votes and seats?