The 2022 Runnymede Local Elections

With one third of all the Runnymede Borough council seats up for election, they were an important indicator of current sentiment.

In broad terms the Conservatives won the popular vote with 37.7%, though this was down from 44.9% in 2021. They won 6 of the 14 seats being contested.

The Liberal Democrats were second when looking at the popular vote, moving from 13.9% in 2021 to 18.4% this year. Standing candidates in 12 of the 14 borough contests. Good progress.

We are pleased that Sylvia Whyte was re-elected for Longcross, Lyne & Chertsey South and with the scale of her 69% of the vote. However, Kevin DeCruz came agonisingly close to winning in New Haw, missing out by just 10 votes.

Beyond these two specific results, there were very creditable performance from our candidates Karin Rowsell in Virginia Water, Jenny Coulon in Woodham & RowTown and Kevin Lee in Chertsey Riverside, all significantly increasing our share of the vote in those wards.

Across Surrey there were some great results, with Liberal Democrats taking council seats from the Conservatives in Elmbridge, Mole Valley, Tandridge and in Woking where our party now control the council.

Thank you to everyone who stood for election, supported us through distributing leaflets, canvassing, support on social media or through financial donations.

The challenge continues!