Epsom should hold a referendum on whether its people want the market town to join London, according to its youngest councillor.

Dan Stevens, who represents Court ward, said the borough’s people should be given a say on the issue, highlighted by the Epsom Guardian this summer after planning expert Barney Stringer’s analysis of the capital’s boundaries.

Labour’s Coun Stevens believes a referendum on the issue could be held next May 7 - the same day as the general and borough elections, when polling stations are already open.

He said: "A local referendum should be used to make sure the council is following the will of the people.

"We are not in a position at the moment as to say whether we should join London or not. 

"If you give local people a say now to gauge opinion then if it comes back as a clear ‘no’ that’s a clear steer for the council not to go near it. 

"But if the people are interested, the proposition could be looked into.

"There are pros and cons on both sides.  I would probably be against, but the most important thing is people should have a say.

"It’s something everyone has an opinion on. 

"Many of the councillors have said they are against, but Mike Teasdale disagreed.  So even in terms of the Residents’ Association there is a difference in opinion and they should be willing to give people a say.

"Steve O’ Connell, London Assembly Member for Sutton and Croydon, said Epsom would be welcomed with open arms

"If we had a referendum we would all have more to go on and it’s a question that will only get more urgent especially with Epsom increasingly becoming a commuter town."

Your Local Guardian:

The areas in blue, above, contain more people working in London than in their home district. Map: Barney Stringer / OS / ONS Census 2011

Epsom’s Conservative MP Chris Grayling has said he is not in favour of any change to the boundaries as he believes the town would have to merge with a London borough such as Sutton, Merton or Kingston and would become "an afterthought".

Coun Stevens said: "It’s Chris Grayling’s party that has championed a localism agenda and so I was disappointed to see that he came out and rejected the idea without giving people a say on it. 

"I don’t think the opinion of Eric Pickles would be along the same lines.

"It will be controversial and contentious. 

"But I don’t think this is an issue that should be decided on by councillors."

Coun Stevens said that if people are supportive of the idea of a referendum, he could raise it as a motion at Epsom’s full council meeting in December. 

Iona Napier took to the streets of Epsom last week to see what people think...

Your Local Guardian:

Alasdair Henderson, 19, McDonald's employee

"I agree. It’s a hassle, you can't even come through the station with an Oyster card. It's a good thing as long as we are treated equally to everyone else in Greater London."

 

Your Local Guardian:

Lisa Holt, 46, nanny, from Esher

"From a transport point of view, I would be in favour of it. If it brings work, that's a good thing.

"Whether Boris would remember us if we became part of Greater London, or not, is irrelevant. It is up to the people in charge now to do the best they can for us."

 

Your Local Guardian:

Joe Bates, 50, market trader, from Epsom

"Epsom is a market town.  If we become part of London, we won't be able to breathe here."

 

Your Local Guardian:

Sheila Siggers, 60, taxi driver

"No. We don’t want to go into London, it’s a ridiculous idea.  The only positive would be getting more custom."

 

Your Local Guardian:

Lee Bryant, 32, fruit seller, from Epsom

"Everything would be better if it did become part of Greater London. It would bring more people in - the town is dead. It’s gone downhill, big time.

"There is no other market town as quiet as this. It’s madness. The root of the problem is in transport. You may worry we’ll get forgotten about by the Mayor of London but we’re forgotten about by our council anyway."

 

Your Local Guardian:

Alan Wadey, 47, works at Newsquest

"I love Epsom but the market town identity was tarnished long ago when many of the smaller shops disappeared. It would help the town rather than hurt it."

 

Your Local Guardian:

Anne and Jeff Bull, 76 and 78 respectively, live in central Epsom

"We are pleased Epsom is part of Surrey. It would spoil the shape of the map. It would be far too costly to be worthwhile."

 

Your Local Guardian:

Teresa Foxcroft, 26, Cambridge Primary School Teacher, but family home in Westhill, Epsom

"We might get a bit lost if we were swallowed by London. I like to feel like I am outside London.

"With the Common and the Downs, Epsom is a destination in its own right. The town may become overrun by people who simply want to get into London easily and the roads are congested already.

"We would lose our charm.”

 

Do you think Epsom should hold a referendum on whether to join London? Leave a comment below or email Hardeep Matharu on hmatharu@london.newsquest.co.uk.