Ayesha Azad
Replaced David Bittleston as Conservative Leader in October 2020, inheriting the political legacy of the borrowing strategy. Publicly apologised to residents and acknowledged the council 'took a wrong turn' in its dealings with the Woking FC stadium project.
Key Actions
- Inherited the Conservative leadership after Bittleston's retirement
- Led the Conservatives to defeat in the 2022 local elections
- Publicly apologised and acknowledged the council 'took a wrong turn'
Details
Ayesha Azad became Conservative Group Leader in October 2020 after David Bittleston's unexpected retirement, taking over the political group that had been in power throughout the borrowing period.
She led the Conservatives into the May 2022 local elections, where the party lost control of the council to the Liberal Democrats amid growing concerns about financial mismanagement.
Azad publicly apologised to residents and acknowledged that the council had 'took a wrong turn' in its dealings with the Woking FC stadium project and the GolDev arrangement. This was a notable departure from the previous Conservative leadership's full-throated support for the commercial strategy.
She now leads the Conservative opposition group on the council, representing Heathlands ward, as the authority works through its financial recovery under government commissioners.
Sources
- Grant Thornton Public Interest Report— Grant Thornton / Woking Borough Council