Labour candidates for the 2026 West Surrey elections announced
Farnham and Bordon Labour Party has announced its slate of candidates for the 2026 West Surrey Unitary Authority elections on 7 May, presenting a dedicated team committed to strengthening the local community and improving services for residents.
In the formerly Waverley area of Surrey, we are standing the following candidates in the new West Surrey Unitary Authority divisions:
- Farnham Central – John Gaskell
- Farnham North – Howard Kaye
- Farnham South – Sam Pritchard
- Haslemere – Alex Howey
- Waverley Western Villages – Andrew Jones
“We are proud to present such a strong and diverse team of candidates, all of whom are passionate about improving life for local residents,” said John Gaskell, Chair of the Farnham and Bordon Labour Party. “From tackling antisocial behaviour to enhancing local infrastructure, our candidates are ready to get to work and deliver real change for our communities.”
Labour is committed to putting residents first, ensuring a fairer, more sustainable future for all. The candidates look forward to meeting residents and engaging in discussions about their priorities for the area.
About the elections
Surrey is moving from a two-tier council system to a single-tier structure. Currently, residents receive services from Surrey County Council and one of eleven district or borough councils. From April 2027, this structure will be replaced by two new unitary authorities:
- East Surrey
- West Surrey
Farnham, Haslemere and the neighbouring villages are in the West Surrey unitary authority.
The new unitary council will be responsible for all local services in its area, including:
- Waste collection and recycling
- Planning and building control
- Adult social care and children’s services
- Highways and transport
- Housing and homelessness support
- Environmental health
- Leisure and community services
The aim of the reorganisation is to simplify local government, reduce duplication, improve service delivery, and provide clearer accountability for residents.
Councillors elected in May 2026 will initially sit on shadow authorities for their respective new councils. During this period, they will:
- Develop budgets and service plans
- Agree staffing structures and governance arrangements
- Prepare for the transfer of responsibilities from the existing councils
- Engage with residents and local partners to shape priorities
The new unitary councils will formally begin operating on 1 April 2027, when all 12 legacy councils in Surrey will be dissolved.
How to vote
The government website Vote in UK elections – GOV.UK has full details of how to vote, including how to register, apply for a postal vote, or acceptable forms of ID for voting in person.
