Liberal Democrats retain control of Woking Borough Council

The Lib Dems won 8 out of 10 possible seats, with the Conservatives failing to win a seat.

The Liberal Democrats won 8 out of 10 seats
Author: Alex DukePublished 5th May 2023

The Liberal Democrats secured control of Woking Borough Council after winning 8 out of 10 possible seats.

Seats for the Lib Dems were gained in Knaphill, Pyrford, Horsell and Heathlands, and were held in Goldsworth Park, Hoe Valley, St Johns and Mount Hermon. Full results can be accessed here.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives failed to win a seat, with the other two seats in Byfleet and West Byfleet and Canalside being held by an Independent and Labour respectively.

Will Forster, Lib dem deputy leader of Woking Borough Council, said "I'm absolutely delighted with the results that we've had in Woking.

"The main issue is the debt and the financial situation Woking Borough Council is in. We took over the council last year in really tough circumstances.

"The council has got debts of £2.4 billion, we're starting to turn it around but it's really difficult but voters are very angry with the Conservative's record and they want to give us a chance to improve Woking."

MP for Woking, Jonathan Lord said "I think obviously the national backdrop is difficult. The country is been through a very difficult few years with Covid and all the economic dislocations that have been caused by that, the war in Ukraine, cost of living crisis, increased energy prices and so on. Everyone's been through a difficult time."

"Across Surrey it's been a disappointing set of results obviously, including here in Woking. But we'll regroup, we'll dust ourselves off and we'll be back."

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