Liberal Democrats win six seats in Surrey by-elections

The Liberal Democrats have won all six of the local council by-elections that took place across Surrey on Thursday.

The party took the seats of Guildford South East, Caterham Valley and Camberley West on Surrey County Council.

They also won three borough and district council ward by-elections.

Leader Sir Ed Davey said that “what remains of the Blue Wall is crumbling away.”

Lib Dem candidate Catherine Houston won Guildford South East by polling 638 more votes than the Conservatives and gaining the seat from the Residents 4 Guildford and Villages group.

In the Camberley West division, Alan Ashbery picked up the seat with 1,617 votes, which was another gain, this time from the Conservatives.

At Spelthorne Borough Council, Laura Barker gained the Staines Ward from the Green Party.

Meanwhile the Liberal Democrats also retained the seats they already held in the Caterham Valley division at SCC, as well as the wards of Meadvale and St John’s at Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Whyteleafe at Tandridge District Council.

Reform UK came second in four out of the six by-elections.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “What remains of the Blue Wall is crumbling away. People across Surrey and beyond have voted for true community champions who will put them first.

“The Liberal Democrats are winning against the Conservatives, but also Labour, Reform and the Greens.”

The Conservatives had previously lost their majority at SCC following two by-elections in August.

The council leader, Tim Oliver, told BBC Radio Surrey: “My focus is on delivering the best quality services that we can for our residents.

“Yes, it’s disappointing, but at the end of the day I’ll carry on doing the best job I can.”