WELCOME TO MY WEEKLY UPDATE no.280
WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER
TREASURY CRONYISM One of the big political stories of the summer is the number of civil service jobs across Whitehall that have been given to Labour appointees. I think what shocked people was the disconnect between Keir Starmer’s ‘government of service’ rhetoric and a ruthless determination to put Labour people in key civil service posts. After Ian Corfield, who personally donated to Rachel Reeves, became a Director in the Treasury (and then had to step down) I used my Treasury questions to ask Rachel Reeves whether cronyism was only bad when it was done by Conservatives - you can see my question and her reply here.
THE BUDGET IS COMING Over the summer we had more data that the economy is resilient and growing, with GDP increasing by 0.6% in the second quarter of the year. That means the Conservatives (or more precisely I) handed over an economy that was growing faster than any G7 country including America. I am afraid all this talk about the ‘worst economic inheritance since WW2’ (anyone remember 1979?) is just an attempt to soften us up for tax rises - but the risk is that higher taxes will simply damage growth. Paul Johnson of the IFS does a good job at mythbusting in The Times this week where he shows that the difference in income between the richest and poorest households fell significantly since 2010 with the poorest households seeing their income rise by four times the wealthiest. Why? Because if you focus on economic growth and getting people into work (over that period unemployment nearly halved and growth was higher than France, Germany or Japan) much of the benefit does actually go to poorer families - even under the ‘evil Tories.’
TORY LEADERSHIP The other big story for us Conservatives is the leadership contest. I will not be endorsing anyone publicly or privately and haven’t fully decided who I will back. But when asked I say that I will look for two things: firstly someone who people will want to vote for as a Prime Minister to replace Keir Starmer in 4-5 years time. I want to see that rather nebulous thing sometimes called ‘character’ because I know that is what people look for over and above policy positions. Secondly I want to hear more about how we are going to attract young people to the party. We cannot be the party of aspiration if the young people who most want to reach for the stars are five times more likely to vote Labour. Renewing ourselves surely means finding a vision that appeals more broadly than we currently do.
WHAT’S GOING ON LOCALLY
JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT THINGS WERE LOOKING UP IN BRAMLEYthe latest problem to emerge is people losing internet connections. So last week I met Michael Salter-Church of Openreach with Bramley Councillor Jane Austin. Michael walked me through the current status of the petrol vapour in Openreach's duct network and their safety concerns. My concern is that there doesn’t seem to be a timeline by when full connectivity will be restored so I have asked for a meeting with Clive Selley, the Openreach CEO. I am also concerned we have not made further progress on sorting out the ASDA compensation issues so I have asked for an urgent update later this week with Stuart Rose, Asda’s CEO, who kindly came to the public meeting in Bramley in July. As always I will keep you posted.
BACK TO KNOCKING ON DOORS A quick word about the Godalming, Binscombe and Charterhouse by-election on 24th September where the Labour councillor has stepped down. I’ve known candidate Daniel Husseini for a number of years and he is the definition of a local champion. In particular he was instrumental in getting the 4,000 signatures on the petition to save Godalming Crown Court car park from being built over and his petition to save Farncombe Boots pharmacy got over 1,200 signatures which really helped in my conversations with Boots CEO Seb James. So all the very best to Daniel who I know would make an excellent voice for Binscombe and Charterhouse.
FIX THE ROOF WHILE THE SUN IS SHINING Fellow Hambledon residents will know how vital is our village shop - and thanks to everyone who came to the brilliant end of summer BBQ on Sunday. But its roof needs urgent fixing and small repairs are no longer an option so the village is in fundraising mode. If you would like to contribute, take a look at this website. They need £100,000 - come on we can do it!
BLACKHEATH VILLAGERS PUB A few weeks ago I submitted an objection to the planning application for the former Villagers Pub in Blackheath to be converted from community to residential. I know just how important it is for the local community that the space remains in their use – do take a look at what I wrote here.
CRANLEIGH MAKEOVER There is so much to love about Cranleigh but I have got to admit that the architecture of Stockland Square was not the best of 1960s architecture. So it's great to see planning permission granted to smarten up the square including a new café plus outside seating and new canopy. It is supported by Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce and I am sure it will be a great success. But it is sad beyond words to hear about the closure of One 40 in Cranleigh - a wonderful store which will be really missed. Richard and Elaine Graham have given so much to Cranleigh over the years and the store has been there for an incredible 65 years. It will be missed. I loved my coffee pitstops there during the general election campaign and we wish them all the best for the future.
GODALMING AND ASH OLYMPIANS A huge congratulations to Toby Roberts for his incredible gold medal at the Paris Olympics for climbing! We are all so proud to have a gold medallist living in our local area. A huge congrats must also go to Izzy Petter who competed for Team GB in hockey. We have had such a great summer of sport but it is of course not over yet - see below on the paralympics.
SURGERY CALLS My first call today was to a lady called Sarah Levett from Godalming about funding for brain tumour research. She tragically lost her 16 year old daughter Jodie in 2022 to a rare brain tumour (described as the only one of its kind in the world) and is campaigning for more funding for brain tumour research. I approved more funding as Health Secretary after Dame Tessa Jowell came to see me about her own glioblastoma so will write to Professor Lucy Chappell, the head of the NIHR (the body that allocates research funding), to find out what more can be done. Here is the link to Sarah’s petition - please sign it!
I then spoke to a gentleman from Dunsfold about the nightmare of getting planning applications through. If local authorities don't determine the outcome within 8 weeks you can appeal on non-determination and go for costs - but that then takes a ridiculous 8 months. I will write to Angela Rayner to ask why it takes so long given we want to encourage growth.
Finally I spoke to a lady from Cranleigh about the future of the Conservative party following our election defeat. We both violently agreed on the need to find a vision that appeals to young people - if we are going to be the party of aspiration we need to connect with people at the start of their lives who want to reach for the stars.
CYCLING FOR CANCER Farnham MP, Greg Stafford MP will be donning his lycra in a few weeks for thehttps://farnhamcharitybikeride.co.uk/ (regular readers may remember me taking part last year for this brilliant event). Greg will be leading the Royal Surrey County Hospital’s team who will be raising funds for the new Cancer Centre which is now under construction. Please support the team including Cllr Jane Austin who will be representing Team Hunt – thanks and good luck everyone! And if you are a Farnham/Haslemere resident still reading this email from my former SW Surrey days please sign up to Greg’s weekly email by contacting office@farnhamandbordonconservatives.org.uk.
RURAL LIFE LIVING MUSEUM Another local fundraising campaign… the Rural Life Living Museum in Farnham has had to launch a fundraising campaign to save it from closure this month. I know many who live locally will be worried by this news, so if you would like to look at the campaign, do take a look at their website here.
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JOIN ME Want to get more involved with my brilliant election-winning team locally? Email me at huntj@parliament.ukto help support our work in our community.
AND FINALLY… Huge congratulations to our phenomenal paralympians who won 12 gold medals on Sunday marking their most successful day this century. What a fantastic achievement – we will be cheering on the competitions that are still to come too.
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