Tag Archives: zoe franklin

We thought you might like to find out a little bit about our new MPs. We didn’t think we’d have quite so many, but this is a lovely problem to have. All details come from the party website or the MPs’ social media. We’ll get to know them more over the next wee while, but here’s a taster. 

Our editor sleepily compiled a Twitter list of all our MPs’ accounts she could find. You can follow it here. 

Monica Harding MP: Esher and Walton

Monica is the Liberal Democrat candidate for Esher and Walton. Monica is a local mum of four who has lived in Thames Ditton for 17 years with her elderly mother living close by in Hinchley Wood.

Monica has worked as a Director and CEO in the private, public and charity sectors. She was a Director of Communications with the British Council in London, Paris, Tokyo and Shanghai. She was President and CEO of Refugees International Japan and sat on the Board of Refugees International USA. She was CEO of the Industry and Parliament Trust and an Associate Consultant with PA Consulting and now works as a management consultant. She has been Vice Chair of Governors at a local school and a Trustee at Princess Alice Hospice. She founded The Britain Project in 2020, a convening space for progressives – a non-partisan, political movement seeking to build a broad liberal and progressive coalition built on the politics of hope, decency, integrity, fairness and the common-good. She hopes it can contribute to tackling the solutions to the big challenges we face – rather than lurching from election to election with no clear plan on the future of Britain.

Monica came into politics in 2019 with no political experience. She said she got ‘fed up with shouting at the TV and decided to do something about it’. She wanted her children to inherit the country she was given by her parents – the ability to make a good life from little, in a country that was full of opportunities, outward looking, tolerant, and ambitious for the future.

Monica’s priorities for Esher and Walton are the priorities she hears on the doorstep. She wants to ease the cost of living, improve our access to local health services and protect the NHS, and look after our environment including cleaning up our local rivers – the Thames and the Mole – which have been blighted by sewage. She has a keen interest in education, wants to better support our schools, refashion the curriculum for the future and improve access to mental health and SEN support for young people.

Twitter: @monicabeharding

Zoe Franklin MP: Guildford

Zöe Franklin is the Liberal Democrat candidate for Guildford. A former Guildford borough councillor for Bellfields & Slyfield, Zöe is a local and hardworking campaigner who has over 15 years of experience and will deliver the change we need.

Zöe became politically involved because she was sick of seeing her community being let down by the Conservative council and government. After 14 years of Conservative government, she is more angry today than ever and determined to ensure Guildford has the strong, active voice it needs in Westminster.

For Zöe, tackling the cost of living crisis is a priority. She has spoken to many people who have shared their struggles to pay their bills, put food on their table or buy clothing essentials for themselves or their children. Why do we still have people forced to rely on food banks in 21st-century Guildford? She wants fair taxes for all and benefits that really support people who are struggling.

She has also led campaigning, locally, on sewage dumping in the River Wey and the problems Guildford residents have experienced with Thames Water’s water supply, rising bills and hosepipe bans.

“Guildford has been my home for 25 years. Our town and villages are special places and deserve a strong independent-minded MP who will put local people first, be their voice in Westminster and fight tirelessly on the issues that matter to them.”

Twitter: @zoefranklinLD

Freddie Van Mierlo MP: Henley and Thame