CLLR HARRY BOPARAI

Spelthorne Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce the reselection of Cllr. Harry Boparai as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Sunbury Common & Ashford Common division in next May’s Surrey County Council election. 

Harry sensationally seized Sunbury Common and Ashford Common from the conservatives by just 15 votes in a by-election in November 2022, and many residents will know from personal experience what a huge difference he has made to the area already. Harry  says he is “incredibly proud of all that we’ve accomplished in just two years. Together, the residents and I have had great success by working closely together.” 

Harry’s achievements as a county councillor include, among many others: 

• Saved community land on Heathcroft Avenue & Bingley Road and created a process that is now being replicated across Surrey.
• Restored the Ashford Common and Shepperton signpost.
• Funded the refurbishment of the St Saviour’s kitchen.
• Secured funding for the Ashford Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association at Ashford Common Baptist Church.   
• Resolved accessibility issues for local wheelchair users, by funding dropped kerbs.
• Campaigned hard on restoring the responsibility for grass cutting back to Spelthorne Borough Council, this has now been achieved.
• Helped secure funding for the Spelthorne Eagles basketball team.
• Helped secure funding for a “Coffee & Conversation” group at Sunbury Youth Centre.
• Helped to clean up the former Barclays Bank Car Park.
• Helped to remove graffiti from benches in Sunbury Park. 

Harry still has many goals for Sunbury and Ashford Common and is looking forward to being able to complete some of the more ambitious projects he has for the area. Harry will closely monitor the development of the new community hub on the site of the old fire station in Staines Road West. 

Harry has already helped to facilitate the renovation of Crownage Court’s forecourt which is opposite the new community hub. Harry is dismayed that there is no provision for young people within the community hub & will continue to campaign for this. The provision of youth facilities is one of Harry's top priorities as it benefits everyone

Harry’s long-term vision for Sunbury Common and Ashford Common, and for Spelthorne in general is to ensure that we can unleash the potential of all our residents. Harry believes that although Spelthorne has wonderful residents and a strong sense of community, we lack support and leadership.

Harry says, "As local residents well understand, Spelthorne has little in common with the rest of Surrey. Spelthorne used to be in Middlesex and has more in common with neighbouring boroughs like Richmond than with Guildford or Reigate. Many of Spelthorne's issues are different and I spend much of my time conveying this message to my rural colleagues. The Conservatives have controlled Surrey County Council since it was founded in 1889. However the residents of Surrey elected 6 Liberal Democrat MPs in Surrey in July this year. The Conservatives can no longer take Surrey for granted. It's time for a change for the better."

Harry has already proven himself to be a local champion for Sunbury & Ashford Common, and he would be honoured if residents gave him the chance to continue.