Senior Ex-Tory Councillor to stand for the Liberal Democrats in May 2017 in Surrey

Commenting on his recent selection as Liberal Democrat county council candidate for Walton at the elections in Surrey on May 4th 2017, former Elmbridge Conservative Councillor Chris Elmer said today:

"Here in Surrey I became disillusioned with the Conservative administration while I was still a Conservative Elmbridge Borough Councillor. When as a member of the same political group my efforts on behalf of my ward residents were frustrated at every stage, something is very wrong. They have had control for too long and become both complacent and arrogant - so I am very clear that Surrey needs a fresh start with the Liberal Democrats.

"With regard to national events, it was the referendum result to leave the EU and the damaging consequences for our living standards and rights that made me decide that my political allegiance now lay with the Liberal Democrats. I suppose the bottom line is that I had to grow up politically - and fast given the alarming result. It was always going to be hard to make such a decision but I have a mind that I can change as facts emerge and are assessed. Something too many Conservatives cannot or will not do".

- Chris Elmer was elected to Elmbridge Borough Council as a Conservative, serving Walton Ambleside and Walton South between 2007 and 2016.

- He chaired both the Licensing and Planning Committees, and was Vice Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and member of the SCC Local Committee for Elmbridge.