Voters in Elmbridge have multiple selections to make in the local elections on May 6 with seats being contested at borough and county level as well as for the role of Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner.
On Elmbridge Borough Council, there are 16 wards set to elect councillors with 63 candidates fighting for the seats. On Surrey County Council (SCC) there are nine seats up for grabs in the Elmbridge divisions.
The post of Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is being contested by five candidates.
We gave each of Elmbridge's borough and county council candidates 100 words to use as they wish to put forward their pitch for why you should vote for them, which can be read below. Where a candidate has exceeded the word limit, their bio has been cut at the 100th word.
For the full list of PCC candidates, see our article here.
There are 63 candidates vying for your vote in 16 borough wards across Elmbridge.
Wael Aleji, Conservative Party
Wael is a psychologist and a researcher on human rights issues. He is a proud local resident and values Claygate's history, its independent businesses and community organisations. He describes himself as an "experienced listener and communicator" - qualities which are essential in a local councillor.
If elected, his priorities are to champion vulnerable residents and the local shops, to defend the Green Belt and to make Claygate cleaner and greener.
Bruce McDonald, Liberal Democrats
Bruce has lived in Claygate since 1968 and spent his career in local government, serving as Chief Executive of the Royal Borough of Kingston from 2000 until his retirement in 2015. Bruce is standing as a candidate because he wants our community to build back better after Covid and to create a more local, more mutual and more sustainable future.
He believes passionately in local democracy and has been appalled by Surrey County Council's recent plans to wipe out local district councils, given that decisions are best made close to, and with, the people they affect.
Hadleigh Felix Moon, Labour Party
I am a proud resident of Claygate with my wife and a daughter on the way. I am a health & safety officer for a charity who provide social care for adults with dementia and learning difficulties.
If elected I promise to advocate for more, affordable social housing to help hardworking families get out from under extortionate private rents that make home ownership increasingly difficult. I also aim to bring more council services in-house, to ensure they are efficient and serving the people of Claygate, instead of serving private greed. Vote Moon to keep Claygate green and clean.
Mike Bennison, Reform UK
No bio supplied.
Steven John Gray, Labour Party
No bio supplied.
Elaine Linda Kingston, UK Independence Party (UKIP)
The UK Independence Party (UKIP) will be contesting three of the Elmbridge council wards on the 6th May. The candidates are: Elaine Kingston (Cobham & Downside), Donald Anderson (Molesey East) and Samantha Fry (Long Ditton).
The party's policies include defending the Green Belt and agricultural land from overdevelopment; only building on brownfield sites; more police on the streets to combat crime; and pressing the county council for more action on potholes and rough surfaces on our roads. UKIP deplores the high cost of Business Rates which cause so many small shops and businesses to close.
Alistair David Mann, Conservative Party
Alistair is Chairman of Cobham Chamber of Commerce and led their campaign against proposals for Pay and Display in the High Street. He is involved with a number of other local organisations including the Cobham Green Belt Group.
Alistair believes Elmbridge Council can be a strong partner to support local shops, including by establishing a Business Improvement District. Alistair is campaigning for a review of car parking charges and improving pavements.
Zelda Eloise Pitman, Liberal Democrats
Zelda grew up in Surrey and has lived in Cobham since 2010 with her family. She works as a solicitor in Windsor and has long been active in her local community. Zelda is standing as a Borough candidate to ensure that sound, practical decisions are made in the interests of the whole community.
She is concerned about the increasing reliance by hard-working local families on food banks, as well as rising incidents of homelessness. Traffic congestion, air pollution, local housing and access to good school places are also key local concerns.
Susan Elizabeth Dennis, Labour Party
No bio supplied.
Laura Jayne Harmour, Green Party
I joined the Green Party when green belt meadows behind my house were razed to build a school despite Elmbridge Councils opposition. Environmental issues are my major concern as well as ensuring that local peoples voices are heard.
There are 80 Green Party Councillors in the South East fighting for the environment and for social justice. The May elections offer people in East Molesey and Esher the opportunity to start making a real difference locally by voting Green.
Jeremy Christian Larsson, Conservative Party
Jeremy wants to protect green spaces and ensure that Elmbridge Council is run more efficiently with lower taxes and better services. He has a background in senior leadership roles, including as Managing Director for a financial tech firm.
Jeremy has two daughters at local schools and is a governor of Esher Church School. He currently advises small businesses and charities. He says: "The Resident Association and Liberal Democrat coalition running Elmbridge Council has lost control of the Council's finances and this has led to Council Tax rises and local services under the threat of cuts. Only the Conservatives can get...(cut at the 100th word as it exceeded the limit).
David James Young, Esher Residents Association
I am the only candidate who lives in the Esher Ward so I understand the concerns of Esher and Hersham Riverside/Longmore residents. Nationally, these issues are overlooked. We need independent, local Councillors who are not following a party line and who will consult with residents, not overrule them from Westminster.
I want to ensure a clean, green and vibrant local area by protecting the Green Belt, stopping excessive development, revitalising the High Street, tackling pollution, improving pedestrian safety and strengthening our sense of community.
These are big challenges but I will work hard on behalf of all our residents.
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Jeremy Daniel Brown, Labour Party
I've been lucky enough to grow up in Hersham where I live now. With your vote, Id be campaigning for a Hersham 'citizen's assembly'. This would give you more of a direct say on local decisions, especially on the bypass, climate change, and ideas for a new footbridge over the Mole.
The assembly would involve a fair, randomised selection of Hersham residents from varied ages and backgrounds to listen and debate, while also hearing from technical experts. I would be keen to debate how we can cut food poverty.
Chester Robert Chandler, Liberal Democrats
Chester has lived in Elmbridge all his life and works in the financial sector, championing ethical and sustainable finance. Chester is standing as a Borough candidate to protect and enhance Hershams green spaces for the benefit of both the local environment and for residents physical and mental wellbeing. He wants to ensure Hershams residents have a clear voice at the table when making decisions that affect them something that is being stripped away by the Conservatives attempts to centralise power away from local communities. He also wants to get more young people involved in local politics.
Paul Wood, Conservative Party
Paul believes the past year has presented huge challenges and local government must rise to the challenge of helping society to recover. He believes that local services will always be under finance pressure, so councillors must focus on delivering excellence and efficiency.
Before retiring, Paul held senior roles within major businesses, and if elected he will work closely with Hersham's Conservative councillors and our MP to provide a joined-up service for residents. His priorities are Hersham's shops, local environment, listening to residents and delivering value for money.
Liz Ambekar, Liberal Democrats
Liz has lived with her husband and teenage daughters in Hinchley Wood since 2014. She is a Charity Finance Director and trustee of Claygate Youth and Community Hub. Liz is standing to represent her local community, where she has been an active volunteer and political campaigner for many years.
During the pandemic, she runs a food bank collection point at her home, collecting 100s of items donated by local residents. She will work towards a fair and equal society, climate action, and community support for local businesses as they recover from the impacts of the pandemic and Brexit.
Gill Coates, Hinchley Wood/Weston Green Residents' Associations
I am honoured to represent the Residents Associations of Hinchley Wood & Weston Green. Living in Weston Green for 21 years, as a commuter, mum, dog owner, carer and community volunteer (Citizens Advice, Meals-on-Wheels), Ive experienced firsthand the commitment of our Residents Associations to improving local services, protecting green spaces, supporting local business and preserving the special character of Weston Green and Hinchley Wood, unhindered by national party politics.
I want to continue that good work. I believe in 'think globally, act locally' and feel strongly that local councils have a valuable role in our democracy.
Geoff Herbert, Conservative Party
Geoff has lived and worked locally his whole life and knows Elmbridge issues very well. He is determined to preserve the Green Belt and the local environment, while resisting intensification.
Geoff believes local communities should decide where new housing goes. His priorities also include support for the voluntary sector, more visible policing and working as part of a Conservative team to tackle potholes.
James William Samuel, Labour Party
No bio supplied.
Samantha Fry, UK Independence Party (UKIP)
The UK Independence Party (UKIP) will be contesting three of the Elmbridge council wards on the 6th May. The candidates are: Elaine Kingston (Cobham & Downside), Donald Anderson (Molesey East) and Samantha Fry (Long Ditton).
The party's policies include defending the Green Belt and agricultural land from overdevelopment; only building on brownfield sites; more police on the streets to combat crime; and pressing the county council for more action on potholes and rough surfaces on our roads. UKIP deplores the high cost of Business Rates which cause so many small shops and businesses to close.
Greg Knowles, Green Party
I, Greg Knowles, believe that now, more than ever, the result of this election will significantly impact the way we live in Elmbridge and Surrey. If elected, I will, therefore, ensure the voice of local residents is heard loud and clear in council decisions on planning, climate action, social care and other important issues by listening to community assemblies, interest groups and grass roots organisations like the AERC.
The community of Elmbridge deserves action and while the pace of change cannot be halted, it can be directed, and you can do it.
Jeremy Langham, Liberal Democrats
Originally from Lancashire, Jeremy (Jez) has lived in Elmbridge with his wife since 1997. He has three children and works as a business development director in the creative industries.
Jez is standing as a Borough candidate in order to improve support for families and young people in the area, address failures in education, welfare and social provision, protect the Green Belt and improve the lack of affordable housing. He has led the recent Elmbridge Lib Dem campaign to provide laptops for schools, raising over 5,000 and providing 40 laptops to families at our local schools.
Jake Coltrane Lewis, Labour Party
No bio supplied.
Claudia Riley-Hards, Conservative Party
Claudia's top priority is to preserve the Long Ditton Green Belt. Previously, Elmbridge Council under Liberal Democrat/Resident Association control has consulted residents on using releasing this Green Belt to meet housing demand.
As part of a Conservative Council, Claudia will resist excessive annual housing targets to preserve the character of Long Ditton, while using her background in economic development to promote council policies that support our local shops and businesses, and apprenticeships for young people.
Donald Peter Anderson, UK Independence Party (UKIP)
The UK Independence Party (UKIP) will be contesting three of the Elmbridge council wards on the 6th May. The candidates are: Elaine Kingston (Cobham & Downside), Donald Anderson (Molesey East) and Samantha Fry (Long Ditton).
The party's policies include defending the Green Belt and agricultural land from overdevelopment; only building on brownfield sites; more police on the streets to combat crime; and pressing the county council for more action on potholes and rough surfaces on our roads. UKIP deplores the high cost of Business Rates which cause so many small shops and businesses to close.
Richard Percival Flatau , Liberal Democrats
Richard is a retired Accountant who spent his career in the leisure industry. He first moved to East Molesey in 2005 and is active in the local campaign to resist the proposed development at Hampton Court Station.
Richard is standing as a Borough candidate because he wants more action on climate change, better housing and planning provision to improve affordable housing while protecting the local character of East Molesey, and better coordination of road repairs. He will also address the increase in the number of dilapidated boats along the river at Molesey.
Lisa Howard, Green Party
Hello, I am Lisa Howard, the Green Party borough candidate in Molesey East. I feel incredibly lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the country and I will work hard to ensure that we hold on to our vital green spaces.
In my professional career within the charity sector and the creative industries I have consistently fostered a culture of inclusivity and opportunities for all. And I am standing for election in order to shape positive change for our entire community.
Peter Ronald Pope, The Molesey Residents Association
Peter has been a Molesey resident for 30 years. He comes from a military family where his father was a Sergeant-Major in the Kings Royal Rifles. Peter trained in management at London Transport and later worked in civilian support for the Metropolitan Police. Later he served as an RSCPA officer and now runs his own gardening services business.
His prime hobby, after taking a steam engineering course, is as assistant Chief Engineer on the Flying Scotsman steam locomotive project. He comes as a new boy in Council matters and is strongly interested in what the Council can do for local...(cut at the 100th word as it exceeded the limit).
Rosie Rendall, Labour Party
No bio supplied.
Xingang Wang, Conservative Party
Xingang is a part-time magistrate - a role he took on to set an example of community service to his young daughters - and has previously worked in engineering and accounting. He grew up in China but became a British citizen after studying for a master's degree in London.
Xingang's priorities are to resist the overdevelopment of Molesey, protecting and enhancing our riverside, and supporting the high streets in Walton Road and Bridge Road. He supports keeping Vine Hall open and opposes the Jolly Boatman development.
Mike Axton, The Molesey Residents Association
Mike is a lifelong resident of Molesey and has served as Secretary of the Molesey Residents Association and as councillor for Molesey West for some 20 years. He is often the first point of call for council or other queries on Molesey matters.
His wife Fiona is a teacher and manager at a Molesey Nursery School and secretary of 1 St Molesey Scout Group. Mike and Fionas three children all went to Molesey schools and education remains a main interest. Mike worked for Thames Water, then for a builder of the Oxford University racing boats. He later did legal training...(cut at the 100th word as it exceeded the limit).
David George Sheldrake, Labour Party
I have lived in Molesey all my adult life, and am well known in the community, I have been a Labour Party member and supporter all my life and believe in the core values of looking out for the many not the few.
I am a strong believer in also protecting the environment and do my best to make the buses more accessible so it's easier to travel to Kingston by bus than take a car. I believe Molesey is a great place to live and will really enjoy looking out for ALL its residents if elected.
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Elmbridge local election candidates 2021: Meet the people vying for your vote in May - Surrey Live
