Welcome to my weekly update no.355
Genuinely brilliant news this morning that the government has (finally) agreed to ban social media for under-16s. Which will offer a little distraction from the political fireworks currently engulfing the Labour Party caused by the resignation of the Defence Secretary and Armed Forces Minister last week…and the probable return of the King of the North after Thursday’s Makerfield by-election. Locally I met the CEO of Thames Water. And come on England on Wednesday evening!
WESTMINSTER WHISPERS
STARMER THE SOCIAL MEDIA SLAYER As someone with an 11 and 14 year old, I have long pushed for a social media ban for the under 16 so I am not going to be grudging about the significance of today’s news. Technology, including social media, is a huge part of all of our lives but so too is the growth of mental illness amongst young people to which it has contributed. I broadly agree with the Australian approach which we are now copying: to ban social media with attributes particularly harmful to young people such as doomscrolling, disappearing content, content designed to attract huge numbers of likes/dislikes and opaque algorithms. But it hasn’t been perfect and there are reports that 60% of Aussies under 16's have been able to circumvent the new rules. But they continue to make progress and so, now, will we. In the meantime, Rodborough School last week announced a ban on smartphones!
IRAN WAR OVER Over the weekend, the US and Iran agreed to a frameworkto end hostilities and re-open the Strait of Hormuz. There’s a long way to go and lots that can go wrong (notably between Israel and Lebanon) but it’s obviously good news for energy prices and global economies, including ours. Sadly America has come out of this war weaker – and Iran, which now knows it has a lock on the Straits of Hormuz, stronger. I say ‘sadly’ not as a supporter of President Trump or what he did. But because in a dangerous world, we will need America to once again take its place as leader of the world’s democracies. Right now we are rightly planning for a NATO that doesn’t depend on US leadership and trade relations that are less vulnerable to tariffs. But I hope we keep the door open to a different America in the future.
DEFENCE DISASTER The row between the MOD and Treasury over defence spending came to a head last week when both the Defence Secretary and Armed Forces Minister resigned in protest. I happened to be on Politics Live when it happened and gave my reaction. It’s a terrible look for the UK ahead of this week’s G7 leaders summit. But it’s not too late to solve the core problem, namely how to find funding for defence without putting up taxes and borrowing. I like to offer solutions, so on Sunday, I published an article in the Sunday Times explaining how I think we can do it with welfare reform. Returning the working age benefit bill to 2019 levels by 2031 would release up to £58bn a year in today’s money, be good for the economy and for welfare recipients themselves as we could use some of that saving to get them faster mental health treatment. Interestingly only a handful of Labour MPs turned up today to defend the government in parliament, something I asked the Defence Minister about today.
ASSISTED DYING COMES BACK TO LIFE It looks like the assisted dying bill is set to return to Parliament, with the exact same bill due to be re-introduced by Labour MP Lauren Edwards. Although I am still minded to support a change in the law, I very much hope the new law will address the concerns that were raised in the passage of the earlier Bill and am disappointed this issue is being addressed through a private members bill rather than through legislation in government time which would allow it to be scrutinised more fully.
AND LET’S NOT FORGET MYANMAR While we all worry about what is happening in Ukraine, Sudan and the Middle East, we must not forget the tragedy unfolding in Myanmar, a country I know a little because my mother was born there. Last week I sponsored a Westminster Hall debate calling out terrible human rights abuses by the military.
LOCAL LIFE
THAMES WATER TROUBLES I met with Thames Water CEO Chris Weston in Westminster this week to discuss both the wider challenges facing the company and the ongoing local issues affecting residents across our area. It’s a company I have had to get to know well over recent years for all the wrong reasons: water being cut off in Bramley, polluted rivers, sewage in gardens in Alfold and so on. Thames Water’s long-term investment programme remains up in the air partly because of their financing crisis but I am determined to make sure we are not forgotten. We discussed local infrastructure priorities, with Alfold pipe relining top of the list, plus numerous resilience issues following recent bursts. There is some progress being made locally, including the near completion of the £46m water resilience pipeline between Netley Mill and Pewley - and £35m upgrade of Shalford Water Treatment Works, but we have a long way to go. Thames Water did at least agree to meet with Peper Harow Fly Fishers Club to discuss the catastrophic fall in trout numbers to which increasing phosphate levels from sewage may be contributing.
WONDERFUL WINKWORTH The arboretum’s new visitor centre opens TODAY and boy is it worth the wait! After a build hampered by delays, the National Trust team should be overjoyed by the end result including a brand new building and entrance, a relocated visitor car park and new bus stops too (although we need to work on the bus timetables!). I’m planning to pay a visit soon but in the meantime here is a sneak preview from Cllr Jane Austin and Cllr Kevin Deanus who were blown away.
Click on the image to view the clip
LONGACRE CLOSURE The end of the summer term is fast approaching, and parents and locals continue to write in with deep frustration about the closure and the future planning status of the school site itself. There remain understandable questions about the process followed in reaching decisions on discounting alternative educational proposals put forward to date, especially in view of the significant alternative value as a potential development site. Last week I wrote again to owner Bridewell again seeking further clarification on the process and whether there was any scope for future discussions around educational or community use. Given the strength of local feeling I believe transparency, where possible, would be welcomed by the community.
PETWORTH ROAD PLANNING APPLICATION Thanks to local residents and Cllrs Maxine Gale and Phoebe Sullivan who have contacted me about the planning application (WA/2026/00882) for 115 homes and a 75-bed care homein Milford - deadline for comments is 23rd June. Many are anxious about the scale of development proposed, particularly in the context of the over 1,000 homes already in the pipeline for the Milford area. I remain concerned that Waverley’s terrible forward housing land supply position (just 1.28 years) means speculative developments across our area are going through on appeal rather than planned with the consent of local communities via adopted Neighbourhood Plans. We need homes - but they must be supported by proper infrastructure and all too often are not.
ON WHICH TOPIC, MANOR FARM, TONGHAM… I was hoping to meet Taylor Wimpey to discuss this application but it has been postponed – at their request – because despite the application having been submitted in December 2025, there is still no appointed case officer at Guildford Borough Council. Come on Guildford…this is really bad for local residents.
D-DAY COMMEMORATION EVENT On Tuesday 23rd June, during Armed Forces week, the Cranleigh and District Branch of the Royal British Legion will be holding an evening of Reflection and Remembrance at the Cranleigh Arts Centre. They will also be dedicating the occasion to the 100th Birthday of their amazing Branch President, Henry Rice, who fought in both the D-Day Normandy landings and Battle of the Atlantic. Speakers will be from the Armed Forces, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Cranleigh Medical Practice (in reference to their commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and work with PTSD), Cranleigh Lions and Royal British Legion Chaplaincy. The evening will be rounded off with a short musical send off by the nationally acclaimed 'D-Day Darlings'. Admission free - do come along.
DOUBLE BAFTA SUCCESS FOR ASH MANOR STUDENTS Huge congratulations to two talented students from Ash Manor School who have reached the finals of the 2026 BAFTA Young Game Designers Competition. Ben in Year 9 and Ben in Year 8 have both been selected as national finalists in the Game Concept category. A fantastic reflection of the students’ creativity, imagination and hard work, as well as the support and encouragement provided by staff at Ash Manor. Very best of luck to both students in the national finals!
AND FINALLY Huge congratulations to those recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours. I am especially delighted to see constituents Bridget Biddell, honoured for services to environmental restoration and charity; David Euridge, recognised for services to education; and Garry Richardson, awarded for services to sports broadcasting (and a friend). Also congratulations to Cllr Tim Hall, Chair of Surrey County Council; patient safety campaigner Merope Mills for Martha’s Rule; and Sarah Chimbwandira, CEO of Surrey Wildlife Trust, all of whom have been deservedly recognised for their outstanding contributions and dedication to public service and their communities.
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