2026 West Surrey Unitary Elections
Following the cancellation of the Surrey County Council elections in 2025 by the Labour government at the behest of the Conservative-run Surrey County Council, elections will be held in May 2026 for the new West Surrey Local Authority.
Although defending a majority of only 15, Cllr. Harry Boparai voted against the cancellation of the elections. He said, "The residents of Spelthorne should have the right to elect those making decisions on their behalf. This is a sad day for democracy.”
The Liberal Democrats in Spelthorne are fielding a slate of fantastic candidates across our borough. You can find more detail on our candidates below:
Staines - Laura and Chris
Spelthorne Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that Cllrs. Laura Barker and Chris Bateson have been selected as our candidates for Staines in the upcoming Unitary Authority elections which will be held in May 2026.
Laura and Chris are both committed to Staines and want the best for their local area. If you want committed local champions to represent you in Staines, vote for Laura and Chris on the 7th of May 2026.
Read more about Laura and Chris
Sunbury & Ashford Common - Harry and Suraj
The Spelthorne Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that popular local Councillors Cllr Harry Boparai and Suraj Gyawali have been selected as our candidates for Sunbury Common and Ashford Common in the 2026 Unitary Elections which will be held in May 2026.
Lower Sunbury and Halliford - Richard and Paul
Spelthorne Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that local campaigners Richard Herman and Paul Vanni have been selected as our candidates for Lower Sunbury and Halliford in the upcoming Unitary Authority elections which will be held in May 2026.
Richard and Paul are both committed to Lower Sunbury and Halliford and want the best for their neighbours and their local area. They were recently seen talking to residents at the Sunbury Christmas market where many of you will have met them. If you want committed local champions to represent you in Lower Sunbury and Halliford, vote for Richard and Paul on the 7th of May 2026
Staines South & Ashford West - Cara and Harleen
Spelthorne Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that local campaigners Cara Mackley and Harleen Boparai have been selected as our candidates for Staines South and Ashford West in the upcoming Unitary Authority elections which will be held in May 2026.
Cara and Harleen are both committed to Staines South and Ashford West and want the best for their local area. If you want committed local champions to represent you in Staines South and Ashford West, vote for Cara and Harleen on the 7th of May 2026.
Laleham and Shepperton - Michael and Matt
Spelthorne Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that Michael Alexiou and Matt Lindon have been selected as our candidates for Laleham and Shepperton in the upcoming Unitary Authority elections which will be held in May 2026.
Michael has lived in Spelthorne for over a decade, and has retired here after a successful career in Research and Development for consumer product industries. Michael has a PhD in physical organic chemistry and has a keen interest in the sciences and technology. He now volunteers for a number of organisations including in local sports and culture.
Matt grew up in Spelthorne and attended Thamesmead School in Shepperton, where he fostered a love for our local area. Like many young people, Matt started his career working in local retail, however he is currently completing an apprenticeship in transport planning, helping to plan the transport infrastructure that keeps us connected. He also has a deep love for animals, with extensive volunteering experience at the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, the RSPCA and other animal welfare organisations.
Stanwell and Standwell Moor - Malgorzata and Gerald
The Spelthorne Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that Malgorzata Kut and Gerald Gravett have been selected as our candidates for Stanwell and Stanwell Moor in the Unitary Elections which will be held in May 2026.
Malgorzata has practical experience of leadership and responsibility. She currently serves as Chair of Trustees for a Polish school, where she oversees governance, works with families, and helps ensure the school is run transparently and effectively. As a first-time candidate, she wants to bring this hands-on experience into local government and be a focused, reliable voice for residents.
Gerald has lived in the local area for over forty years and personally experiences the issues affecting his neighbours. Gerald says that “Stanwell and Stanwell Moor have many issues that seem to have been either ignored or unsatisfactorily dealt with for so long. A fresh approach is needed.”
Ashford - Manu Singh and Satpal Thethy
Spelthorne Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that Manu Singh and Satpal Thethy have been selected as our candidates for Ashford in the Unitary Elections which will be held in May 2026.
Manu is a local business owner and has worked as a scientist in the field of neuroscience. Manu spent much of his youth in and around Spelthorne, his father worked here as a taxi driver for several decades and growing up Manu spent a great deal of time on Church Road in Ashford – seeing first-hand how vital accessible local services are to everyday life.
Satpal works in a senior role in logistics at nearby Heathrow Airport and has lived in Ashford for many years with his family. This experience makes him well placed to understand the needs of our community. Satpal believes that Ashford has been neglected by the Conservatives for far too long and will be a fantastic local champion for our town on the new Unitary Authority.