GOOD AFTERNOON & welcome to my weekly update no.313.
As we eagerly await the details of the spending review this week I have been recovering from a packed constituency day on Friday and lots of media around my new book which is a general call for us to be more optimistic as a country - perhaps bold but I don’t think a lost cause!
WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER
SPENDING REVIEW All eyes in parliament are on the Spending Review will be published this week. A part of me sympathises with the pressure Rachel Reeves is under (as I say in this article in the Daily Mail) but the real question is whether she does enough to avoid more growth-destroying tax rises in the autumn. That means being brave on welfare reform as I said on the Laura Kuennseberg show and in this article for the Economist. We should be taking inspiration from places like Denmark, whose employment rate among people with health limitations is reportedly 75% (vs our 56%).
CAN WE BE GREAT AGAIN? At long last, my book Can We Be Great Again? has arrived! We launched it at the Institute for Government with a really interesting discussion with Hannah White. So far it has been well-received even by long term critics such as Allister Heath. There was a lovely interview with the Express and for those who like podcasts a sparky interview with Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel at the Newsagents. If you want reasons why we can be more optimistic about our country’s future Can We Be Great Again? is for you!
THE WORLD NEEDS US (REALLY) Last week, writing for LBC Opinion, I said the international order that has kept us safe is under threat and the UK must step up to defend it. After world war two, the UK and US set up a global order that has led to more prosperity, more trade, more freedom and less poverty than ever before. Now we need to get our self-confidence back and defend it.
THE NEXT SILICON VALLEY? Over the weekend, the government announcedthat it would spend £86bn by 2029/30 on research and development. Grist to the mill for one of the themes in Can We Be Great Again? namely that the UK has a real opportunity to be the world’s next Silicon Valley. So why did Labour cancel the Edinburgh University exascale computer project? With the most respected universities outside the US, a strong defence sector and strong financial services we have a massive opportunity in AI and other technology. Don’t mess it up!
WHAT’S GOING ON LOCALLY
BRING BACK MILFORD’S 523 BUS SERVICE! The new Milford Community Diagnostic Centre is offering an additional 11,000 MRI and 9,500 CT scans per year, adding to the amazing provision at Milford Hospital. But in Autumn 2024 the only bus service to it was cancelled (the 523 which goes from Peasmarsh through Godalming and Milford). Join my campaign to bring it back - click here to sign my petition and check out my Rishi-in-the-rain video below:
CIick on the image to watch
ASH VALE STATION PEDESTRIAN CROSSING TO BE REPAINTED Ash local Heather Johnson contacted me recently with safety concerns about the crossing at Ash Vale Station. As a result Surrey Cllr Matt Furniss has helpfully agreed to get it repainted in the next couple of months which should improve visibility while we continue to press for further upgrades. Meanwhile, the fight for step free access to the platform continues…
UKRAINIAN WELCOME Cherry Gay and her amazing volunteers continue their incredible work to make Ukrainians welcome in Godalming. I am so proud of what Cherry is doing - the BEST of British values - but equally proud and humbled by the courage of the Ukrainian people. Slava Ukraini 
BUSDENS WAY MILFORD Great Friday morning door knocking in Milford around Busdens Way but local residents are right: it's a nightmare pulling out onto the main road when driving to Godalming. I’ve subsequently swapped messages with Milford Cllrs Maxine Gale and Cllr Phoebe Sullivan who also highlighted concerns about elderly Highcroft residents crossing the road here to get to the shops. I am on the case with SCC - watch this space.
PEPPERPOT HOUSE GODALMING is a new innovation for people who want to downsize with total flexibility - and I have a dear friend living there. Thank you Marcus, Amy and the team at Birchgrove for inviting me to your fabulous opening.
PROFESSOR HUNT? Very honoured to be presented with a Visiting Professorship by Professor Tim Dunne, Vice Chancellor of Surrey University, on Friday night at the Surrey launch of Can We Be Great Again? My first lecture and a Q&A followed where we did a deep dive into many of the themes in my new book. Thank you for having me!
TO INFINITY … AND BEYOND! Did you know that Hub Communications in Godalming is making the UK Europe's hub for space exploration and innovation? Check out their amazing Space-comm Expo which will be the only UK trade show for the commercial space industry in 2026. Thank you Tommy and the team for a fascinating visit.
SURGERY CALLS My first call was to a Godalming resident whose business is being badly affected by the closure of the M48 bridge to Wales so I am going to raise it with the Transport Secretary. I then did a couple of health-related calls: first to a Cranleigh resident with ME about how to improve treatment in Surrey for both ME and long covid and secondly how to get more research funding and better training, so I will write to Wes Streeting. The second health call was to a Cranleigh resident about the pressure of caring for a mother with dementia and how difficult it is to get an ambulance in an emergency. She believed - and I totally agree - that the issue is a lack of what medical professionals call ‘continuity of care’ e.g. having one person taking overall responsibility for a vulnerable person. Again a letter to the Care Minister.
SHALFORD A281 CLOSURE The scaffolding is up and repair work is well underway - so I am afraid the Shalford stretch of the A281 will remain closed until Friday 12th June. It’s hugely disrupting for everyone but necessary work - not too long to go but what a nightmare!
AND FINALLY Wow the footage from the Mount Etna eruption last week was incredible. Was I the only one shouting at the screen to the tourist taking the footage to stop recording….. and start running!
JOIN ME Want to get more involved with my brilliant election-winning team locally? Email me at [email protected] to help support our work in our community. If you would like more regular updates of my work locally and nationally, do follow me on Facebook, X (Twitter), Bluesky or Instagram(although email me rather than comment for a guaranteed reply.)
JOIN ME Want to get more involved with my brilliant election-winning team locally? Email me at [email protected] to help support our work in our community. If you would like more regular updates of my work locally and nationally, do follow me on Facebook, X (Twitter), Bluesky or Instagram(although email me rather than comment for a guaranteed reply.)
