Lib Dems win by-election before residents wave bye-bye to Mole Valley District Council

It’s been six years since the party won control of the council in 2019 and last night residents demonstrated their confidence in how it was being run, said district leader Councillor Stephen Cooksey.

The seat was won by Bradley Nelson with 748 votes, ahead of the Conservative Party candidate Michelle Watson on 437 with Michael Carter of Reform and Lisa Scott from the Green Party rounding out the field.

The result leaves Mole Valley District Council firmly in the grasp of the Liberal Democrats and their 31 councillors with six independents and two Conservatives filling the rest of the chamber.

The council’s days in its current guise are, however, numbered with moves to merge Surrey and its boroughs and districts gaining pace.

It is expected that by 2027, the 11 boroughs and districts – together with the county – will be merged into either two or three unitary authorities and a single over-arching mayor.

Councillor Stephen Cooksey, leader of the Lib Dem group at Mole Valley District Council warmly welcomed Bradley for getting elected.

He said: “He will be an excellent councillor for Holmewood and Beare Green and will bring a significant youthful perspective to Mole Valley Council.

“This election was a vote of confidence in the local team in Holmwood and Beare Green and in the Lib Dem council administration as whole.

“We are now coming to the end of our sixth year in control of the council and the policies of our administration continue to be marked by electoral success.

“That is particularly important as we move into what will be our most challenging period of office to ensure that restructuring and devolution work well for Mole Valley residents.”

Councillor Bradley Nelson added: “I’m proud to be joining my new colleagues on Mole Valley District Council.

“I’m ready to get started right away and to helping the residents of Holmwoods, Beare Green and Coldharbour, and Mole Valley as a whole.”

“The Lib Dem’s have been running the council for six years and I hope to continue their hard work, where residents have just shown trust after this by-election result.”