Zöe Franklin

Originally from Farnham, Zöe moved to Guildford in 1999 to study Music at the University of Surrey and has lived in the town ever since. 

Zöe went on to complete a Master’s degree in Musicology at the University of Southampton in 2005. After graduating, Zöe worked in the creative sector before becoming involved politically. She was elected as a Guildford Borough Councillor for the Stoke ward in an October 2008 by-election, serving until 2015 when she stood down.

Zöe first stood for the Guildford parliamentary seat at the 2017 General Election, finishing second to Anne Milton. She stood again in 2019, achieving a 12.5 per cent swing to the Liberal Democrats against the backdrop of a substantial Conservative majority nationally, before winning the 2024 General Election, with 47.5 per cent of the vote and a majority of 8,429. 

Zöe is the fourth consecutive woman to represent the Guildford constituency, and only the second non‑Conservative MP to hold the seat. She currently serves on the Liberal Democrat Whips’ team and is the party’s Spokesperson for Local Government. She has previously served on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.