Quite a lot happened in Surrey — it was actually an historic moment for local government there.
Here’s a summary:
**A complete restructuring — and a Lib Dem landslide**
Surrey saw its biggest local government shake-up in decades. These were the first-ever elections for the newly created East Surrey and West Surrey unitary councils, with residents electing 162 councillors across the two new authorities.
The Liberal Democrats won outright majorities in both councils — securing 55.5% of the available seats in East Surrey and 62.2% in West Surrey.
In terms of the breakdown:
– **East Surrey**: The Lib Dems won 40 of the 72 seats. The Green Party took 8 seats, while local Residents’ Associations also held seats.
– **West Surrey**: The Lib Dems took 56 of the 90 seats. The Conservatives came second with 20 seats, and Reform UK won 9.
Reform UK achieved a high vote share of approximately 21% in both areas, despite winning only 14 seats in total.
Labour returned no councillors to either authority.
**What happens next?**
The 162 elected members will now form “Shadow Authorities” for the next year (2026/27), responsible for setting the first unitary budgets and overseeing the legal transition of services before the existing district and borough councils are formally abolished on 1 April 2027.
So in short — Surrey County Council as it existed is on its way out, the Conservatives have been swept aside, and the Liberal Democrats now dominate the new structure that will govern the county from 2027 onwards.
(Compiled using AI – 9/5/2026)