Welcome to my weekly update no.347
Welcome back. I spent my Easter break marathon training in the gorgeous Surrey Hills around Hambledon and Hascombe. All the while, Donald Trump kept us on tenterhooks with his unpredictable and at times indefensible antics – what a shame to have to write that about an American President.
WESTMINSTER WHISPERS
IRAN WAR LATEST When the ceasefire was struck last week, we were hopeful that the Strait of Hormuz would finally re-open and that the price of oil would come down. But sadly, not for the first time, there turned out to be quite a bit of exaggeration in President Trump’s claims. The best we can now realistically hope for is some sort of agreement to pause fighting, probably with permanently higher energy prices. But even that may be optimistic as Iran has now discovered it has leverage over the world economy every bit as powerful as a nuclear bomb. Whatever our frustrations with Donald Trump, though, we should not give up on America – as Matthew Syed wrote powerfully in the Sunday Times. Keir Starmer was right not to join the conflict although I still think – for NATO preservation reasons – he should have allowed Americans to use their own bases. The question is whether the PM now takes difficult decisions needed to bring down energy prices and boost defence spending. I asked him just that today in the House and I am afraid his answer doesn’t fill me with hope. I also told the Resolution Foundation podcast we should avoid a massive energy bills bailout if it means increasing the national debt. 2026 is not 2022 and tempting though it may be for politicians, markets would rightly not stomach an energy price guarantee similar to the one I offered.
CHAGOS CHOP The UK government has said that it will no longer pursue the legislation to enact its short-sighted deal to give away the Chagos Islands. The reason cited was US opposition although they were also having a hard time passing the bill through the Lords. I remember the Foreign Office tried to persuade me to open negotiations with Mauritius and I point blank refused, partly because their claim over the islands is totally specious but mainly because it is such an important security base. Let’s hope this is the end of the whole sorry affair.
CANCER RELIEF Many of you will know that cancer treatment is an issue close to my heart and why I am running the London Marathon. Last week – as well as my training – I joined calls for the government to change the law so that new mothers who have recently been diagnosed with cancer can delay the start of their maternity leave until after the cancer treatment has concluded. Currently it is not possible to do this so many have to use their maternity leave for chemo or radiotherapy. I told Sky News changing the law would be an easy, low-cost win for the government. Re the Marathon (as you mention it) I am getting close to my £15k target Marathon target for Sarcoma UK, the brilliant cancer charity. Thank you to many of you who have donated (and apologies if you haven’t had a thank you email – I don’t have everyone’s email address). And if you haven’t there’s still time – all details here!
LOCAL LIFE
ALFOLD PLANNING The Easter break was sadly dominated by a shocking unauthorised development in Alfold, where in just four days a field was rapidly built over with multiple caravans and large quantities of aggregate and tarmac. After two stop notices were ignored an Interim High Court Injunction was secured last Friday meaning no further works can now take place while the legal and planning process continues. It has been deeply distressing for Alfold residents who have watched in horror as a once-beautiful field has been transformed at speed. It also underlines the urgent need for stronger planning enforcement powers so law-abiding residents can have confidence in the system, something I am writing to the Environment Secretary about. Thank you to local councillors Kevin Deanus and Jane Austin, Alfold Parish Council, and Waverley Borough Council’s legal and planning teams for their work to date - though there is still a long way to go to fix this.
BRAMLEY FUEL LEAK MEETING Join me this Thursday in St Catherine’s auditorium 7pm-8pm for an update on the Bramley Fuel Leak from ASDA’s environmental consultants EPS, Openreach and Thames Water. Thank you to St Catherine’s School who have kindly offered their auditorium as a venue.
HAVE YOUR SAY FOR OUR NEW WEST SURREY COUNCIL On Thursday 7th May there will be elections to the new West Surrey Council following the government’s decision to reorganise Surrey into unitary authorities. From May 2026 elected shadow Councillors will help to create the new authority - and in April 2027, the existing county council and 11 district and borough councils will be replaced by the two new unitary councils – East Surrey and West Surrey. Godalming and Ash will sit in the West Surrey half. For further information, updates and resources check out this excellent information hub called ‘Future Surrey’ which has been developed by Surrey County Council and the 11 district and borough councils.
….FINAL CALL - DON’T FORGET YOUR POSTAL VOTE! Did you know postal votes now need to be renewed every 3 years, so even if you’ve had one before, you may need to reapply to keep it active. You can apply online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote - the deadline to apply is 21st April 4pm.
SURGERIES My first call was to a Cranleigh resident stranded in Australia following the outbreak of war in Iran because her flight was cancelled. There were no hotels, it was impossible to contact anyone at the airline and she was left seriously out of pocket. I then spoke to some parents from Brook of a British child studying for medicine at an overseas university who - crazily - doesn’t get priority for an NHS training place (even though students from Ireland and EFTA countries do) so I am going to take it up with Wes Streeting. I then spoke to a Cranleigh resident about his concerns over the state of the country and the general lack of leadership in the country (about which I am afraid I agree).
LONDON TO AFRICA! Huge congratulations to Jacob Ünal, who has amazingly completed an extraordinary 1,500-mile walk from London to Africa, a journey that took three long months to finish. An incredible achievement in itself - and even more impressive because along the way £2,040 was raised, with 70% donated to Mental Health UK to support their vital work. A fantastic effort for a brilliant cause.
BLUEBELLS IN THE SURREY HILLS Spring is one of the best times to enjoy the beautiful countryside across Godalming and Ash, with bluebells now starting to appear in some stunning local spots. My top picks are Winkworth Arboretum, which is spectacular at this time of year, Hydon's Ball for a lovely woodland walk (or marathon run), The Chantries, and of course Abinger, Albury and Shere. The next couple of weeks should be peak bluebell season, so it’s the perfect excuse to drag the family out for a walk…
PLANT SALE & FARM DAY Spring is definitely in the air and a lovely way to kick things off is at Hydons Flower Farm on 2nd May which is holding its annual plant sale – this year raising funds for https://greenhub.org.uk a great local charity which I know from a visit earlier in the year. So, why not pop along buy some plants, meet their animals, and enjoy a cup of tea and a cake. Visithttps://hydonsflowers.com for more information.
SURREY HILLS INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL returns from 5–16 May with an outstanding programme of concerts, guided walks and talks in some of Surrey’s most beautiful venues. World class music right on our doorstep! Highlights this year include the Julian Bliss Quintet at RHS Wisley, the award-winning vocal group Tenebrae at Holy Trinity Guildford, and a special recital by Dame Sarah Connolly. Click here for the season programme details and to buy tickets.
AND FINALLY… a poignant April anniversary - Jack Phillips, born on 11 April 1887 above a draper's shop in Farncombe, was the chief wireless operator aboard the Titanic when she struck an iceberg on 14 April 1912. He stayed at his post sending distress calls until the very end, helping save over 700 lives — and celebrated his 25th birthday just four days before he died. Godalming remembers him with the Phillips Memorial Cloister, the largest Titanic memorial in the world, and this month the Godalming Museum marks his birthday (which was on Saturday) with live Morse code demonstrations and hands-on exhibits. A true local hero worth remembering.
