Welcome to my weekly update no.345
This week there are real concerns in Westminster that the Iran war is turning into a situation beyond anyone’s control, with huge security and economic implications. But local life goes on – and on Friday I went to a beautiful Ukrainian performance in the Baptist Church to mark the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion and some daffodil planting in Elstead with the rock legend Brian May.
WESTMINSTER WHISPERS
ENERGY CRISIS INCOMING? I will never forget having to find £78 billion of support for household energy bills in 2022. Today the government announced a much more modest package for low income households reliant on heating oil. Far from criticising the tiny £53 million package, I am actually worried that we are getting too used to government bailouts that end up hiking up our national debt, itself making the economy less resilient. Nor is it clear bond markets would allow the kind of package I announced given that bond yields are already at near mini-budget levels. An even bigger concern is that it may not just be energy affected by the closure of the Straits of Hormuz. Key fertiliser used by farmers also come through it - which could mean higher food prices. The survival of Iran’s regime and its ability to wage an asymmetric war means that things may not calm down even if Trump or Netanyahu stop the bombing, hence the very public demand for help from allies.
MAKE THE NHS SAFE AGAIN One of the biggest concerns about the NHS is the number of baby deaths. They have actually come down over the last decade (nearly two fewer a day) but there are still far too many shocking stories about things going wrong. Last week I took the Patient Safety All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) to give evidence to the Inquiry being led by Baroness Amos. We recommended five things, the first of which was to have one team of midwives with a named boss responsible for every birth from pregnancy through the birthing process and afterwards. Too often NHS care is a conveyor belt in which patients become numbers rather than being treated as human beings. It’s time to re-personalise it with continuity of care.
AND MAKE THE CITY COMPETITIVE AGAIN Outside of the Square Mile, British bankers don’t really have a great reputation – particularly when it comes to bonuses. But at the end of the day, our financial services sector contributes a lot to our economy – including paying for half the cost of running the NHS with the tax revenues it generates. But whilst the City remains a major global powerhouse, its competitiveness has been waning of late, including today’s news about a major building supplies company leaving the FTSE. In today’s Telegraph, I outline what we need to do to get things back on track. As one of the UK’s great strengths, this really matters so I have taken on the Chairmanship of the Financial Services all-party group. And it can be done!
LOCAL LIFE
TIME TO BAN SMARTPHONES FROM SCHOOLS! We had an excellent public meeting in Godalming on Friday - with nearly 180 parents, grandparents, teachers and local residents signing up to discuss the impact smartphones and social media are having on children. There was clear concern about the effect on learning, wellbeing and mental health, alongside wider issues such as EdTech and AI in schools. Many thanks to Laura Trott MP, Dr Susie Wright of Papaya Talks, and Gemma Taylor for Smartphone Free Childhood Surrey for their valuable insights. As Laura Trott said during the discussion, “we are facing a mental health epidemic among young people.” The evidence increasingly shows that smartphone-free schools improve focus, wellbeing and even GCSE results which is why local Conservatives will push for a complete ban on smartphones in schools if they win the incoming unitary West Surrey Council. Thank you to everyone who came along and contributed - this important conversation is only just beginning.
Click on the image to view the video
GODALMING 4 UKRAINE With so much of the world’s attention currently focused on events in the Middle East, spare a thought for Ukraine now in its fifth year since the 2022 full-scale invasion. On Friday I felt honoured to mark this with the Ukrainian community in Godalming alongside the inimitable Cherry Gay and her wonderful team. It was a fantastic morning of traditional Ukrainian singing and dancing, celebrating a proud culture that refuses to be broken. Putin may have more weapons but Ukraine has the most valuable weapon of all – the fact that they are fighting for their own existence. I even had the chance to practise a little tango! The UK must continue to stand firmly with Ukraine - politically, militarily and humanitarianly. Slava Ukraini!
CHILWORTH RAILWAY CROSSING DELAYS Chilworth Village Hall was packed last week as residents gathered to discuss concerns about Network Rail’s recent “safety upgrades” to the level crossing. Locals reported barriers now being down for up to 15 minutes at times, with queues of 30–40 vehicles often building on either side. Residents raised concerns about increased congestion, pollution, and pedestrian safety - particularly during school drop-off and pick-up times - as well as additional noise and light from the new infrastructure. While the upgrades were intended to improve safety, many feel these wider consequences have been overlooked. Similar issues are also being reported in Milford and elsewhere across the country so I will be raising these concerns directly with Network Rail at a meeting on Wednesday. Many thanks to Shere County Councillor Bob Hughes for campaigning so hard on this issue.
ARSON ALERT Deeply concerning to receive reports from concerned residents about recent fires in Godalming which the police suspect are believed have been started deliberately. Incidents included a car fire, a bin fire, a blaze at Holloway Hill recreation ground and a fire in a post box. Thankfully no serious injuries have been reported but please tell the police if you see anything.
TONGHAM POST OFFICE NEWS Later this month, Tongham Food & Wine (30 Oxenden Road, Tongham, GU10 1AJ) will be opening a new Drop & Collect Post office branch, which is a new ‘lighter and flexible branch format.’ The new Drop & Collect, will offer Post Office services from a handheld device, providing convenient access for customers’ bill payments and prepaid parcel collections and returns. A wider range of Post Office services are available from the nearby branches at Tongham Post Office - 88-90 The Street and Ash Post Office - 58 Ash Street, Ash, GU12 6LR.
SURGERY CALLS My first call was to a Wanborough resident about her concerns with the water system. She is a retired GP who worked and we had a good discussion about failures in the regulatory system although disagreed about privatisation (I just don’t think the state would find the £104 billion being spent by 2030 on fixing leaks). I then spoke to an Ash Vale resident who is struggling to make ends meet as a result of a chronic long-term condition, not least because of rent increases. I will contact Guildford Borough Council to see how she can be helped.
AND FINALLY 🌼🎸QUEEN OF ELSTEAD DAFFODILS A big thank you to Elstead’s most famous resident, Sir Brian May, and his team (young and old) for supplying and planting the beautiful daffodils now brightening Elstead Green! A botanical rhapsody of colour for the village and proof of how even rock legends help local communities bloom. Take a look at Sir Brian’s websitefor more. I am a huge Queen fan and I am sure the pic with Sir Brian did my street cred more good than his!
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