Welcome to my weekly update no.351
Big changes across Surrey in the local elections – and potentially even bigger ones in Westminster as Keir Starmer struggles to stay in power. With bond yields surging, it is unfortunately beginning to feel very 2022…
WESTMINSTER WHISPERS
LOCAL ELECTION MELTDOWN One of the biggest frustrations I have with our political system is the way local elections are dominated by national issues. People care passionately about their area but also know that local councils have little real power. So they use the opportunity to pass judgement on the people in charge in Westminster – this time giving Labour its one of its worst ever kickings. Sky News said the national equivalent vote share was 15% for Labour (down from 34% at the general election) with Reform on 27%, Conservatives on 20% and the Greens/LibDems each on 14%. It was also a tough night for the Conservatives (although not in Godalming and Ash where we did well) with the real gains going to Reform and the Greens, now seen as the insurgents. We are now in an era of 5 party politics (7 parties if you include Plaid and the SNP) which means in a first-past-the-post system that a party could potentially win an overall majority with as little as 30% of the vote. I have long defended the system we have but that is becoming much harder.
SHALL I STAY OR SHALL I GO? Whatever happens it feels like it will not be with this PM as Labour leader. Today he gave a do or die speech to try and secure his position. In so far as it went, it was fine. It felt like a party conference speech delivered with some good lines and lots of passion. What was missing was any sign that he has the strength or inclination to deliver the radical policies the country needs. On infrastructure, energy prices, welfare reform and economic growth we are crying out for some boldness. Labour MPs agree, as this powerful article in the Times by Josh Simons makes clear. So far more than 40 Labour MPs have called for the PM to go and the worry in No 10 will be that the number is growing. The problem for the country is that under any successor we are more likely to see a left turn than a right one, one reason why long-term government borrowing costs are at their highest levels this century.
HERE WE GO AGAIN The upcoming King’s Speech on Wednesday morning will lay out the government’s legislative plan for the upcoming session. I would like to see more focus on unlocking our economic potential, including more ambitious reforms on planning, energy and financial services regulation. Most importantly (but least likely alas) the government must have another go at welfare reform to get people off benefits and into work. In my new book Can We Be Rich Again? I show how someone living in a one bedroom flat in London claiming the three main out of work benefits takes home £46,000 a year compared to just £22,000 a year for someone on the National Living Wage. It will be fertile ground for Kemi, just as she did with the recent concessions on mobile phones in schools and social media restrictions for children.
LOCAL LIFE
WEST SURREY LOCAL ELECTIONS The results are in! A very fraught day last Thursday for candidates who fought hard for every vote as the electorate headed to the polling booths across Surrey. Turnout across West Surrey was unexpectedly high at 46% - close to general election levels and an encouraging sign of strong public engagement in the new authority. Congratulations to the Liberal Democrats who secured a majority. The Conservatives will serve as the formal opposition with 20 seats, Reform UK have 9 seats and 5 Independents. Whilst I am disappointed we did not win control of the council, in Godalming and Ash we won seven of our 8 target seats with a number of strong local councillors returned across several hotly contested divisions. Jane Austin got the highest vote share (57%) of any candidate of any party in our patch. But I was also very sorry to witness election hopes dashed - in particular I want to pay tribute to Maxine Gale who didn’t make it and is an excellent longstanding independent Councillor for Witley and Milford, David Munro who has served Western Commons for years and Steve Williams of the Green party who, although we do not see eye to eye politically has worked hard to represent his area.
FINALLY STEP FREE ACCESS FOR ASH VALE STATION? After many years of campaigning, I was very happy (to say the least) to meet with Network Rail at Ash Vale station to discuss the long overdue step-free access for the station. Assuming funding comes through as promised by the government, the site will get 2 new lifts, new accessible parking and toilets for this popular station with building starting in the spring of 2027 - and we can’t wait!
FARNCOMBE PATH WIDENING Following my first meeting with Network Rail in Ash Vale, we moved on to Farncombe for a site meeting and discussion with John Bennett from the Farncombe Initiative. We want to widen the path that runs down the side of the rail track at Farncombe St and Marshall Rd. Network Rail has agreed to carry out a survey of their land and will hopefully allow the path to be widened to allow better access. More details to follow…..
RAILWAY BARRIER DOWNTIMES Next on the list with Network Rail was a meeting in Farncombe’s brilliant Natter Cafe to discuss the ongoing concerns on level crossing down time delays. It is quite a complex topic with both automatic barriers (Milford) and manual ones (Chilworth) and some with both (Farncombe). Essentially the automatic ones will get faster as the system ‘learns’ the train timetables better but the manual ones need investigation. Network Rail is aware of the strength of feeling which I stressed having been to an excellent public meeting in Chilworth. They are going to monitor and try to improve things over the next three months and have committed to coming back, hopefully to Chilworth, in September.
ASH HOUSE FIRE Devastating to learn of the terrible house fire affecting a family in Ash last week. Thankfully the family are safe, but the property itself has been tragically gutted. In true community spirit locals have already rallied round to support the family, including setting up a GoFundMe page to help them begin to rebuild after such a traumatic event - if anyone wants to make a donation here is the link.
LONGACRE SCHOOL Despite all efforts to find a bidder for Longacre the confirmed closure of the school looks increasingly likely. A number of bidders had come forward but from the perspective of parents there remain serious questions about how this decision was reached and frustration about a perceived lack of transparency about the reasons for closure, why alternative offers were rejected. There have been reports of possible pre-planning discussions regarding the site happening as early as last year which, if true, are concerning.
FETE SEASON is upon us - well done to Dunsfold and Compton fete’s - both held last saturday - which I understand were brilliant sunny successes. And be sure to support the always brilliant Bramley Fete upcoming this Saturday 16th May 12pm-4pm Gosden Common. It's a Hunt family favourite!
AND FINALLY Has Godalming misled the world for 140 years? The town has a plaque stating it was the first electric street lighting…but that is now in doubt. Worth a read of this article from the BBC Secret Surrey series which delves into the quandary…
