Guildford Lib Dems reselect Zöe Franklin as Parliamentary Candidate

Guildford Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that they have reselected local campaigner, Zöe Franklin, to be the Prospective Parliamentary candidate for Guildford. Zöe becomes the first Blue Wall election candidate in the country to be selected by the party.

Zöe has lived in Guildford for over 20 years, first moving to the town to study at University of Surrey, and has been a local governor, charity trustee and borough councillor. She stood for the Liberal Democrats in the last election where she increased the party's vote share by 15% and slashed the Conservative majority to just 6%. Zöe's top campaign priorities ahead of the next general election are:

Fighting the Conservative's damaging planning reforms that threaten Guildford, Cranleigh and our villages with even more inappropriate developer-led schemes lacking in the homes we need locally and proper infrastructure.
Working with local people and our councillors for a greener, more sustainable future for our communities including better public transport and more electric vehicle charging points so people can realistically choose to go green.
Campaigning to support local businesses who have been left behind by the Government and need extra support to survive.

In recent months, the Liberal Democrats have made major gains in the Blue Wall area of Surrey. During May's Local Elections, the party gained five seats from the Conservatives on Surrey County Council and ended neck and neck on popular vote share in Guildford.

The results in Surrey follow the Liberal Democrats winning the Blue Wall constituency of Chesham and Amersham in June with a 25% swing from the Conservatives.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey MP, welcomed Zöe Franklin's selection:

"Zöe will be a fantastic local candidate who is committed to listening and helping the people of Guildford.

"The Conservatives have taken Guildford for granted. In Blue Wall areas just like Surrey, people feel ignored by a Conservative party that is out of touch with their values and priorities.

"In Boris Johnson, they see a Prime Minister who has failed to show any signs of leadership to get this country through a national crisis. From his botched handling of the pandemic, to the shame of needing Marcus Rashford to pressure him into providing free school meals for hungry children. It is no wonder voters in the Blue Wall are turning their back on this government."

Zöe Franklin, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Guildford, said:

"I am delighted to have been reselected as the parliamentary candidate for Guildford, Cranleigh and our villages. Guildford has been my home for over 20 years and I am determined to be the local champion our local communities need.

"I will make standing up for local people on the issues that matter to them my top campaign priority."

"When I'm out and about people tell me they are sick of being taken for granted and failed by the Conservatives - that they just can't trust them to do the best for them, their families and businesses. In contrast they see what the Lib Dems are doing on local councils and know they will not only listen to them but actually deliver to make our area a better place to live."

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