12/06/2026
Amazing progress in East Surrey by the Green Party!
The Green group on the new East Surrey Council have thanked residents for their continued support, after the party maintained its position in the area after last week’s elections.
Eight Greens were elected to the new shadow authority, meaning it will have a strong Green presence with the Greens the third largest political group, behind the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives and ahead of Reform.
The party strengthened its stronghold in the existing Reigate & Banstead Borough Council area, one of five existing councils that the new unitary will replace next year. Greens are the biggest group there (Greens 8, Lib Dems 5, Cons 4, Res Assoc 2, Reform 1).
Though there are fewer councillors of all parties on the new unitary, because it covers a larger area, the Greens retain the approximate proportion that they have now on the borough council, having increased the number of borough councillors to 14 from 13.
The eight Greens are:
Earlswood & Reigate South: Neha Boghani and Robin Whitwell
Merstham and Banstead: Joel Gabriel and Shasha Khan
Redhill East and North Earlswood: Jonathan Essex and Stephen McKenna
Redhill West and Meadvale: Nick Abear and Elly Heaton
Cllr Nick Abear (Redhill West & Meadvale) said: “We are incredibly honoured to have been elected to the new council. This was a real team effort and it simply would not have happened without the support, encouragement, and hard work of so many people, from everyone who helped deliver leaflets and canvassed with us, to those who stopped for a conversation on the doorstep, sent kind messages, or put their trust in us at the ballot box.”
Cllr Elly Heaton (Redhill West & Meadvale) said: “Politics can sometimes feel distant and divisive, but this campaign reminded us that people care deeply about their community and genuinely want things to improve. We will work hard, listen carefully, and do our very best to represent everyone in our areas, whether they voted for us or not.”
Cllr Robin Whitwell (Earlswood & Reigate South) said: “It is a great pleasure to be elected to continue the great work of Ruth, Gillian, Della, Paul, Andrew and Catherine - the existing Green councillors that cover this area.”
Cllr Jonathan Essex, leader of the Green group, said: “This was a great result, considering the strength of the Lib Dems across the new East Surrey area, and the success of Reform in some areas. We plan to hold the Lib Dem council accountable, to fight for better roads and social care, and to make sure the next generation receives the education they deserve.
“It was especially pleasing that we did better than Reform; this shows that the people of Surrey have little time for the politics of divisiveness and hatred.”
