In a contested selection at a Special General Meeting of Walton Conservatives on 16 October, Rachael Lake was selected to fight the Walton division in the Surrey County Council elections on 2 May 2013.
Chairman of Walton Ambleside, Central & North Conservatives Cllr Andrew Kelly said "I am delighted that Rachael has been selected to stand next year. As a former county councillor, and current borough councillor, she has a vast knowledge of our town and the issues affecting it. After nearly eight years of a Walton Society Councillor who has ignored e-mails from residents and done very little for the town, Rachael would be a much-needed hardworking representative for all residents."
After winning the selection, Rachael said "I am honoured to have been selected to stand for election next year. I represented Walton on the County Council from 1997 to 2005. During this time I fulfilled every election promise I made. Walton now has one of the best libraries in Surrey and a flagship school in Walton Oak - which I served as the deputy chairman of the governing body over-viewing the design, build and staffing. Added to this, I worked on the new Walton Bridge funding bid and with your support I will be your representative when it is opened! I look forward to meeting as many Walton residents as possible in the months between now and May."
The Walton county division includes the borough wards of Walton Ambleside, Walton North and about two-thirds of Walton Central. The remainder of Walton is in the Walton South & Oatlands division.