We are delighted to report that the shadow council for the new unitary West Surrey Council voted last night to change the council’s name to West Surrey and South Middlesex Council – finally righting a 61 year wrong. This is a double-win, since both Middlesex and Surrey will be properly represented in the new council’s name.
The Spelthorne area of Middlesex was placed under Surrey County Council in 1965. Through six decades of being told they are now “in Surrey”, its people stayed true to their Middlesex identity. Surrey people too have had their county woefully mispresented these long years.
With Surrey County Council being replaced by two unitary councils – initially named West Surrey and East Surrey – our friends in Middlesex Heritage, led by our indefatigable patron Russell Grant, were determined that Spelthorne would be “in Surrey” not a day longer.
After over a year of campaigning, in the end it wasn’t even close. With fantastic support from Spelthorne’s councillors and the backing of the ruling Lib Dem group and the Reform UK group, the council voted 58-15 to change its name – easily getting the 2/3 majority required. Only the opposition Conservative group voted against – we assume in the spirit of providing an opposing point of view.
It was especially heartening to see and hear the support of the vast majority of councillors representing constituencies in Surrey. This motion was just as much about properly representing their county in the new council’s name.
Massive thanks to Russell, to Cllr Harry Boparai who proposed the motion, and to the many thousands who supported this campaign.
For those of us who love our counties there are a few similar battles to be fought over the coming year – not least in West Craven and in Potters Bar. This wonderful victory shows what can be achieved.
Banner image shows Spelthorne councillors celebrating the change of name to ‘West Surrey and South Middlesex Council’. Prime mover Cllr Harry Boparai holding the flag in one hand, beer in the other.
3 thoughts on “Victory! We are ‘West Surrey and South Middlesex Council’”
This is great news. Let’s hope it’s only the first of many such common-sense decisions. I’m certainly hoping for similar in those parts of the West Riding under ‘Lancashire’ administration.
It’s hard to see the people of West Craven putting up with being part of a council area called “Pennine Lancashire”!
I have noticed that the road sign on Manchester Road opposite the Royal George near Greenfield, Saddleworth, has been deliberately vandalised (coordinates 53.52970N, 2.02590W). This is one of the Historic County boundary markers. It has been turned 180 degrees so that it cannot be seen, and it would also appear that an attempt has been made to pull it off its posts.