The RA was extremely disappointed that none of its four local candidates for election to the new East Surrey unitary authority were successful, the first time in 90 years that our local RA Associations have failed to be represented. Enlargement of ward boundaries and the splitting of the Thames Ditton ward from Weston Green, did not help while it was also difficult to counter the party political machine of the Lib Dems.
Congratulations to all our candidates who still managed to poll well. Sam Brierley with 1676 votes was less than 250 from being elected for Thames Ditton and East Molesey with Kevin Whincup getting 1298 votes. In Long Ditton, Hinchley Wood & Weston Green Ward, Simon Crome attracted 2103 votes and Scott Dodkins 1867.