As the 2026 local elections approach, attention is turning to the issues shaping communities at a hyper-local level, from transport delays and crumbling infrastructure to the future of high streets and youth engagement.
In Egham, Conservative candidate Rahul Joglekar is campaigning under the slogan and motto of “Let’s Build a Better Egham” and his pitch is rooted in a hands-on, resident-first approach.
In this interview, he outlines his priorities, local concerns raised on the doorstep, and his approach to delivering change if elected.
What are the top three issues in Egham that would be your immediate priorities in the first 6–12 months?
My motto is: Let’s Build a Better Egham. My running mate John and I have identified three clear priority buckets that come up again and again on the doorstep.
1. Railway downtime and level‑crossing delays: Residents are increasingly frustrated by long waits at level crossings, which disrupt daily life and local traffic. Egham is a proud commuter town and our rail links to London matter. We’ve launched a petition that has already gathered around 900 signatures (online and offline). We’re in direct contact with the Managing Director of South Western Railway (SWR) and are pushing for short‑, medium‑ and long‑term solutions. We’re also using residents’ stories to keep the pressure on decision‑makers —because real change only happens when people are heard. We deliver these as ‘postcards from Egham’ regularly to SWR head office.
2. Potholes, parking and fly‑tipping: These everyday issues dominate local conversations. We’ve already taken a hands‑on approach, including reporting potholes directly (I take selfies with potholes and upload them to social media and report them to the council), and we’ve seen results. But there’s much more to do. Our priority is faster responses and better coordination, so residents see consistent improvements.
3. Wider local quality‑of‑life issues: We’re also actively working on concerns raised by residents around high‑street businesses, making Egham bypass safer, street lighting, education and cleanliness. These are the details that shape how people feel about where they live — and they deserve serious attention.
What are the biggest challenges facing young people in Egham? How would you ensure youth voices are included in decision‑making?
Royal Holloway, University of London, one of the UK’s most prestigious universities is in our neighbour. That’s a huge asset but the relationship between the town and the student population could be much stronger. Residents raise concerns around parking, housing pressure and litter. Students often don’t feel heard about what they need from the town. My priority is to bring those voices together in a harmonious dialogue and continue to strengthen the relationship. We would like to establish a town-hall style forum where students and residents can meet, raise concerns, and work on solutions together. Done properly, this could lead to students and young people playing a role in shaping Egham’s future. Interestingly, local businesses have come forward to help also.
More broadly, I also support restricting social media access to those aged 16 and over, alongside better mental‑health and education support for young people.
How would you support small and independent businesses in Egham?
Our high street is under real pressure. “Empty shells” are becoming the norm – shops that were once thriving businesses but now lie empty. Businesses are facing a triple whammy of high taxes, high business rates and high interest rates.
Local government must do more to stop our high streets hollowing out. Rents are simply too high, and that’s something residents and traders are raising directly with us. We’re already planning meetings to take these concerns forward so we can have a well thought out strategy.
Some of the ideas we’re proposing include:
- Space for pop‑up shops
- Reduced rents for 6–12 months to help new businesses get established
- Exhibition or bazaar‑style spaces for small entrepreneurs
- Food festivals and events to bring people back into the town centre
Local businesses have come forward with excellent ideas. Our role is to help turn those ideas into action and ensure Egham has a thriving, vibrant high street again.
How do you respond to criticism of the Labour Party at a national level?
People are frustrated, and rightly so. People are genuinely struggling, and national policies are affecting everyday life. I have found that while door knocking, for this campaign, coming across a Labour Party supporter is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. At the local level, our promise is simple: delivery, delivery, delivery. Residents care less about what you say but what you are doing. I am already dealing with so many issues residents have told me about and we’re seeing some action on these.
What sets you apart from other candidates?
I got into politics because I was tired of throwing popcorn at the television — lots of talk, very little action from politicians. On the doorstep, I say the same thing every time: I don’t care whether you are left‑of‑centre or right‑of‑centre. Fix the pothole in the centre of my road — then we can talk ideology. In business, if you promise something and disappear the next week, your customer will cancel your order. I want to bring that same commitment and accountability to local politics. Authorities can sometimes stop listening to their main stakeholders – us. You need someone who will be tenacious and get into the detail. I’ve been called “Rottweiler Rahul” before, and I wear that as a badge of honour. That’s the energy I want to bring to Egham.
