HELLO & welcome to my weekly update no.336
I hope you had a restful and happy family Christmas and New Year. Christmas tree and cards down for the Hunt family…and a freezing return to Westminster so only a short update this week…but lots going on with Venezuela and the u-turn on the family farm tax. We nearly got onto rural mobile phone signals although that was sadly cancelled…
WESTMINSTER WHISPERS
NOT SO HAPPY NEW YEAR for former President Maduro of Venezuela. Most of us think good riddance to an evil dictator and are prepared to overlook Trump’s rough and ready methods if he does the right thing. But I am concerned about what Trump said about Greenland. It is the sovereign territory of a NATO member and difficult to see the alliance surviving if Trump really did annexe it. That in turn would have massive implications for Ukraine and broader European security as I told Andrew Marr’s LBC show yesterday. No one expects conversations with the US about Greenland to be happening in public but I asked the Foreign Secretary yesterday whether they are at least happening in private - I sincerely hope so.
Click on image to view the clip
BUT A (SOMEWHAT) HAPPIER NEW YEAR for farmers following a giant u-turn on the family farm tax. The threshold at which this tax kicks in has now been raised from £1m to £2.5m, halving the number of farms affected. It is still tough for farms which include buildings that push their value above that limit and, frankly, still a bad policy. It also adds to the sense that the government is weak and doesn’t really know what it’s doing. But for farmers at least it is a better start to the year than they feared.
LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING was discussed in this wide-ranging interview with Bloomberg’s Marcus Ashworth just before Christmas in the Royal Oak in Holmbury St Mary. It preceded a very enjoyable book talk in which the bar was packed out for a big rant by me on how Britain really can be great again. On which note, I have another book coming out this year on how to make our economy great again. A free copy will naturally be wending its way to No 11 Downing Street…
LOCAL LIFE
WHERE’S THAT BLASTED SIGNAL GONE? I am starting 2026 as I mean to continue…with the battle to improve mobile phone coverage across Godalming and Ash. There was going to be a debate on rural mobile phone coverage on parliament’s first day back but sadly it was cancelled. But for more background, this December 2025 Commons briefing is worth a read. It states that the 4G 95% coverage target for across the UK has been met - all I can say is we seem to have an awful lot of the 5% in G & A…The real issue now is upgrading to 5G and I will continue to push hard on this when the debate is rescheduled.
NEW YEARS HONOURS Huge congratulations to Godalming and Ash residents who have been recognised in this year’s New Year Honours list, including the youngest recipient named this year - 20 year old climber Toby Roberts from Elstead who was awarded an MBE for services to sport. Well-deserved recognition for Toby, who won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics and is one of Britain’s most successful climbers competing at international level. John Towers, the fantastic Headmaster of Barrow Hills School, Godalming, received an MBE for services to education and the brilliant Julie Kapsalis from Cranleigh received an MBE for services to economic development, including in her role as Chair of Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership. Finally Christopher Adelsbach, Managing Partner at Outrun Ventures, has been awarded an OBE for services to entrepreneurship. Aren’t we lucky to have so many amazing people living locally?
SURGERY CALLS My first call was to a Cranleigh resident who has a brilliant idea about setting up a competitor to the property website Rightmove. It felt like he was in very similar position to me starting my own business 25 years ago. I then spoke to another Cranleigh resident about some changes that have happened for people needing eye care at the Royal Surrey which I will take up with the Chief Exec. After that it was an Elstead resident about a very worrying incident with an MOD truck near Hankley before Christmas which I will take up with the ministry.
NEW YEAR, NEW TOTAL FOR THE CASIC POT! A staggering £761,000 was the total at the end of the year for our fundraising efforts for the Royal Surrey’s new cancer and surgical innovation centre. I was lucky enough to have another progress tour and catch up with Chief Executive, Louise Stead at the end of December. The building is certainly taking shape and should be on schedule to open later this year.
MAYOR’S CHARITY BALL And talking of fundraising, the Mayor of Haslemere, is organising a charity gala the proceeds from which will go to CASIC and The First Hindhead Scouts. It will take place on Saturday 21st February 2026 at Haslemere Hall. Tickets are £75 which includes an arrival drink, canapes, a two-course dinner with wine. Dress up, dine in style, and dance the night away while supporting the Mayor’s Charities - click here for tickets.
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AND FINALLY - 2025 IN REVIEW As we all look forwards to what is sure to be a very busy 2026, here is a quick review of my 2025…2026 going to be just as busy I have no doubt!
Click on the link to view the video
AND EVEN MORE FINALLY amazing footage of these four sailors in South Africa were amazingly rescued from very nearly going over a dam - after hours dangling over the edge. Worth a watch for some New Year thrills.
