Labour candidates Esher and Walton ‘very shocked’ if Lib Dems fail to win

“I think the Lib Dems would win here tonight and I’d be shocked if it was anything else,” said the Labour candidate for Esher and Walton on a night his party looked set to take power. Yoel Gordon, speaking to SurreyLive, said he had enjoyed the campaign even though he knew it was a two-horse race.

He said: “The local campaign was very enjoyable and I was really pleased to fight for this seat. Esher and Walton are not the easiest places for a Labour candidate but he was well received in the local election campaigns.

“The problems here are the same as across the country. People are concerned about the NHS, river pollution and the state of the Mole and the Thames, and what the water companies are doing. “Education is struggling and primary schools are struggling to keep and retain good staff.

READ MORE: Surrey general election results live as exit poll predicts heavy Tory losses

“There are homeless people and food banks, even in a very wealthy area like Esher and Walton, it’s very present. The tactical vote was very clear. Many people came to me and said that their Labour voters wanted to dethrone the Tory and that we were supporting Monica.

“Nationally, so far so good. The results are still very early, but there is definitely a movement towards Labour. I think Keir Starmer will be the new Prime Minister and overall I am very, very happy. Relieved and excited.”

Now that the election campaign is over, he has said he will give himself a few days to get back on his feet. He said: “I’m going to take a break. I’m very tired, assuming I don’t win tonight. I think the Liberal Democrats would win tonight and I’d be shocked if they didn’t.”

Follow the results as we get them in Surrey here.