On 7 May 2026, residents across East Surrey will elect a brand-new unitary authority. This isn’t a routine set of local elections. It’s the biggest reset of local government in a generation, and it matters for communities like Horley, Salfords and Sidlow.
Local Government Reorganisation brings an end to the old, fragmented system and replaces it with a single council responsible for the services people actually rely on day to day. With that change comes a choice: repeat the mistakes of the past, or build something better from day one.
Reform UK believes this new council must be founded on a clear, simple contract with residents.
Strong Public Services
People expect reliable roads, decent local infrastructure, clean streets, and responsive services — not excuses, delays, or endless consultations that go nowhere. A new authority gives us the chance to design services around residents, not bureaucracy.
Sound Money
Council tax isn’t Monopoly money. Every pound comes from households already under pressure. The new East Surrey Council must live within its means, focus spending on priorities and stop wasting money on vanity projects and administrative churn.
Secure Communities
Residents in Horley, Salfords and Sidlow want safe streets, respect for the rule of law, and a council that takes antisocial behaviour seriously, not one that shrugs and passes the buck.
Just as importantly, democracy itself must be respected. These elections matter. If any scheduled local elections across the UK are cancelled or delayed without proper democratic consent, Reform UK will not simply wave it through. We will pursue judicial reviews to defend voters’ rights and ensure that residents — not administrators — decide who governs them.
Yesterday in London, Reform UK activists from across the country came together to show that this message is resonating. I was proud to stand alongside campaigners who understand that real reform only happens when people are prepared to stand up and demand it.
The creation of East Surrey Council is not just a structural change: it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset expectations and restore trust in local government.
But change doesn’t happen automatically. If you want change, you need to vote Reform UK. On 7 May, choose representatives who will deliver strong services, protect taxpayers’ money, defend local democracy — and put residents back in charge.
Andy Lynch 