Surrey Shakes Up: The Election That Redefined a County's Politics

A year has passed since the 2024 general election that resulted in a landslide victory for Labour, bringing about dramatic shifts in Surrey’s political arena. This election marked a historic turning point; for over a century, the Conservative Party dominated the region with only rare victories by rival parties. However, the rise of the Liberal Democrats was nothing short of seismic, resulting in their gain of six seats: Dorking and Horley, Epsom and Ewell, Esher and Walton, Guildford, Surrey Heath, and Woking. The newly elected MPs—Chris Coghlan, Helen Maguire, Monica Harding, Zöe Franklin, Al Pinkerton, and Will Forster—have since engaged actively on important issues such as Thames Water, the NHS, and special education needs.

Former Conservative heavyweights, including Michael Gove, Dominic Raab, and Kwasi Kwarteng, stepped down before the election, leading to a significant reshuffle among Tory MPs. While Sir Jeremy Hunt held onto his seat in Godalming and Ash, and others like Dr. Ben Spencer and Claire Coutinho remained, the Conservative Party introduced three new members: Lincoln Jopp in Spelthorne, Rebecca Paul in Reigate, and Greg Stafford in Farnham and Bordon. These new MPs have been vocal about local concerns regarding health, transport, and business.

The Boundary Commission for England restructured the constituencies, increasing Surrey’s representation from 11 to 12 seats for the first time, with one seat extending into Hampshire. This reshaping integrated areas like Virginia Water and Englefield Green into the neighbouring Windsor constituency.

Historically, Surrey has produced prominent politicians, but the 2024 election was particularly notable since it heralded the first prime minister from the region, Sir Keir Starmer, who attributes his beginnings in Hurst Green near Oxted as fundamental to his journey. The article reflects on the transformation of Surrey’s political landscape and its implications for the future.