Surrey Heath was all set to be one of the seats everybody had their eyes on during the election on July 4 to see if Michael Gove would hold the seat he first won in 2005.

Despite reports he had told his local party he planned to stand, he dropped his own bombshell – Mr Gove was calling time on his parliamentary political career.

The person hoping to fill his shoes, Ed McGuinness, soon made his own headlines after he moved to the area when it was revealed his newly rented flat had been advertised on Airbnb.

Polling from Ipsos shows there is enough support in the area to once again return a Conservative to the House of Commons. Despite the success of the Liberal Democrats at council level where they have 24 seats to the Tories six, with the Independents on three and Labour two.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has given each Surrey Heath candidate standing in the General Election, 100 words to sell themselves and why they deserve your support come polling day.

Jonathan Campbell, Green

“I joined the Green Party just before Brexit as I was impressed by their strong commitment to the European Union.  Since then I have become very active in my local party and became a district councillor in 2023.

“The things that I think are important are maintaining and funding the NHS as a public asset, stopping the continued pollution of our waterways and providing properly affordable, warm and secure homes for all. 

“Away from local politics, I am a husband and father, and a fan of Fulham FC.”

Sam Goggin, Reform UK 

“I have lived and worked in Surrey Heath for over 30 years. I have been a trust board member of many of our local schools in Bagshot, Windlesham, West End and Camberley and work hard to establish inclusion for all learners. 

“This country is broken and many of its services in Surrey are at breaking point. We are governed by old and dysfunctional parties whose leaders are out of touch with local issues. 

“Reform is speaking out and saying what the local people are talking about and thinking. We need to be led by local people first and take the issues up to Westminster not the other way round.”

Ed McGuinness, Conservative 

“Twelve years ago I stood on the steps of Sandhurst as an officer in the British Army. Tours of Afghanistan, Kenya, the Far East followed and now I have the honour of representing the same Parliamentary seat for the Conservatives. 

“If fortunate enough to serve Surrey Heath, I will secure additional investment into Frimley Park Hospital, campaign for better and faster transport, fight for better support for children with special educational needs, protect our precious Green Belt whilst backing appropriate new housing and back our fantastic local businesses to grow. 

“Service is my promise to all voters in Surrey Heath and leadership through service is what I will deliver.”

Alasdair Pinkerton, Liberal Democrats

“As a long term resident of Surrey Heath I care passionately about both the place and its people. 

“Surrey Heath is my home and I am determined to give Surrey Heath the representation in Parliament that it has lacked for the past 20 years.Being an MP requires a laser focus on local issues right through to influencing the behaviour of our country on the global stage.

“My track record of local campaigning alongside my extensive knowledge of global political affairs gained through my work as a professor of geopolitics, means I am uniquely equipped to make a positive difference from day one.”

Jess Hammersley-Rich, Labour

“After 14 years of Tory chaos, I have seen first hand how desperately this country needs change. My career has taken me from fighting for the rights of students at university to campaigning on behalf of disabled people for a national charity.

“I have always been driven by fighting against injustice and standing up for what’s right. It is that drive that brought me into politics and the Labour Party, as your local MP, it is the spirit I will take to representing you at Westminster.”

Elizabeth de Stanford Wallitt, Heritage 

“Elizabeth and her family have lived and worked in Surrey Heath for 50 years. Elizabeth is a qualified solicitor with an MA in art history from the Courtauld, reflecting her passion for the heritage of the realm. 

“She is a keen organiser of musical events, particularly for young people. Her involvement in the Heritage Party stems from its Judaeo-Christian belief and focus on supporting the family, believing the indoctrination of sexual ideology being presented to children in our schools is damaging.

“The Heritage party believes in less Government involvement and more freedoms including speech, trade, and belief, offering the Nation a vision and a future. She is a Christian.”