The residents of Surrey have been dealt a shocking betrayal by those who claim to represent them. A video, captured and passed to us by a council insider, has exposed the deeply unethical and disgraceful behaviour of Cllr Paul Follows, Leader of Waverley Borough Council, Lib Dem County Councillor, failed parliamentary candidate, and likely Lib Dem hopeful for Surrey Mayor.
This damning footage reveals Follows asking the Joint Chief Executive to skew officer reports in favour of three unitary authorities. Even more disturbingly, the CEO confirms that this manipulation was already happening. This was no slip of the tongue—this was a deliberate attempt to mislead residents, councillors, and the entire democratic process for blatant political gain.
The Lib Dems’ Self-Serving Agenda Exposed
This disgraceful incident is not just about Paul Follows; it exposes the wider corruption and self-interest of the Surrey Lib Dems. Rather than prioritising the needs of Surrey’s residents, they have been caught red-handed manipulating local government restructuring for their own political advantage. Their focus is not on good governance but on carving out political fiefdoms to increase their own power and allowances.
As local government restructuring is debated across Surrey, reports prepared by supposedly impartial officers are crucial in informing councillors’ decisions. Yet, Follows and his allies have sought to rig these reports, ensuring a predetermined outcome that benefits their political careers rather than the people of Surrey. This is nothing short of a disgraceful attack on democracy.
Undermining Democracy, Integrity, and Public Trust
When elected officials take office, they commit to the Nolan Principles of Public Life: integrity, objectivity, accountability, honesty, openness, and leadership. Paul Follows has failed every single one of these principles.
His actions have:
- Betrayed public trust by attempting to manipulate reports used by councillors across Surrey.
- Destroyed confidence in local democracy, showing that the Lib Dems care only about political gain, not the will of the people.
- Dragged council officers into political games, calling into question their neutrality and professionalism.
The implications of this scandal reach far beyond Waverley and Guildford—this affects every single resident in Surrey. When the very foundation of local government is being skewed to serve the ambitions of a few power-hungry politicians, democracy itself is at stake.
Paul Follows Must Resign – Now
Surrey Conservatives demand immediate accountability.
Cllr Paul Follows must resign immediately as Leader of Waverley Borough Council and as a county councillor. Furthermore, any council officer involved in this disgraceful and unethical behaviour must be investigated and held accountable.
The residents of Surrey deserve better. They deserve honesty, transparency, and leaders who put their communities first. Instead, they have been subjected to a Lib Dem regime that prioritises political manipulation over public service.
This scandal is proof of why we need smaller, more accountable unitary authorities—so that corrupt politicians like Paul Follows can no longer twist the system to their advantage.
The people of Surrey must now ask themselves: if the Lib Dems are willing to lie, manipulate, and conspire behind closed doors, what else are they hiding from you?
The answer is clear: they cannot be trusted.
The Choice is Yours
Surrey deserves honest, principled, and transparent leadership—something the Lib Dems have proven they are incapable of providing. The Conservative Party stands for integrity, accountability, and putting residents first.
This scandal is a stark reminder of why we must reject the self-serving politics of the Lib Dems and fight for a fair, open, and honest future for Surrey.
Join us in holding them accountable. Demand better for Surrey. The time for change is now.
