Welcome to my weekly update no.350
Big geopolitical events happening but with Westminster now in recess, most of the focus has been on the forthcoming local elections. I was knocking on doors in Ash Green with Matt Furniss and Sallie Barker and never fail to be surprised how friendly everyone is on a Bank Holiday Monday!
WESTMINSTER WHISPERS
BYE BYE KEIR? The big question in Westminster is whether the Prime Minister can survive Labour’s expected drubbing in the local elections. I am no fan of this government but as I said on the Peston show last Wednesday, the real concern is what comes next. Our borrowing costs are already shooting through the roof, according to the Times the highest for 28 years based on fears that Starmer’s successor will increase borrowing even further. Given that those costs are already the highest in the G7, that is a real concern, not least because they already add around 19 pence to income tax (more details on how I get to that number in my new book Can we be rich again? which is coming out in June). Is it really fair on future generations to keep ramping up the taxes they will have to pay in this way?
HORMUZ HORRORS No sign of an early end to the problems on the Straights of Hormuz. Given how far apart the US and Iranian red lines are, it now feels like the best case outcome would be a ceasefire which gradually turns into a permanent opening. It also feels like the economic fallout will be much deeper than many have been hoping for, not least because even if there is an agreement (of which no sign at the moment) verifiably clearing Hormuz of mines will take months. Then there are the broader ramifications, not least the future of NATO. My judgement, as I told the Today Programme yesterday (0845 slot) is that whilst things are in a state of flux, the outcome is not decided: increase spending on defence and there is still a potentially strong transatlantic alliance. But if we don’t, separation is all but inevitable.
CIL SCANDAL COMES TO WESTMINSTER Last week I led a Westminster Hall debate on the scandal of large CIL charges hitting homeowners who have simply extended their properties. The debate was well attended by MPs as well as the CIL injustice group and Councillor Jane Austin who has led the charge locally on behalf of those hit by Waverley. In a major breakthrough the Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook confirmed that a timetable for reform of the legislation will be set out - so we should see proposals come forward in the summer. Encouragingly, he also confirmed that options are being explored to refund those who have been unfairly charged. This matters because in Waverley we are one year on with not a single resident receiving a refund. Huge credit to the CIL Injustice group and to local Councillors for their battle to get the law changed - but the job is not finished.
CIL campaigners hit Westminster!
LOCAL ELECTIONS IN 2 DAYS! I am not party-political in this newsletter but ahead of Thursday, I hope you will allow me to say how proud I am of my brilliant team of Conservative council candidates. It is one of the strongest teams we have ever put forward and unlike other parties our candidates have been relentlessly positive in their campaigning, focusing not on attacking others but on the positive things we want to change. So a Conservative West Surrey will resurface 24% of the roads to properly sort out potholes; it will offer one hour free parking in all council car parks to bring back life to our high streets; and it will introduce free weekly garden waste collection. One promise – banning smartphones from schools – has already been delivered (because of a government u-turn)! But whoever you support, please vote…we only have to look at what is happening in Ukraine to know it is something we should never take for granted.
Click on the image to view the video clip
Ash and Ash Vale - John Tonks and Andrew Bolton
Cranleigh and Ewhurst - Philip Brooker and Sean Donovan-Smith
Godalming North - Ed Holliday and Daniel Husseini
Godalming South, Milford and Witley - John Hemmings and Ian Lewer
Shalford division - Matt Furniss and Sallie Barker
Shere division - Bob Hughes and Victoria Sena
Waverley Eastern villages - Jane Austin and Kevin Deanus
Waverley Western Villages - Phoebe Sullivan and Jean Arrick
Worplesdon division - Bilal Akhtar and Jonathan Lord
GODALMING TOWN FC – Belated congratulations to Godalming Town FC who were crowned champions in style, lifting the Southern Combination League Division One trophy at The Bill Kite Stadium. The title had already been sealed the previous weekend with a brilliant win. A crowd of around 470 packed into the ground, creating an electric atmosphere as players, staff, and supporters came together for unforgettable scenes of joy, pride, and pure celebration. A fitting way to cap off an incredible season! The club is now welcoming sponsorship from local groups interested in supporting the club as they progress for more information https://godalmingtownfc.co.uk/
AND FINALLY It’s officially British asparagus season - available at the Hambledon Village Shop! If you’d like to find out more the British Asparagus website has everything you need https://www.britishasparagus.com/. Who knew!
