GOOD AFTERNOON & welcome to my weekly update no.296
Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing Christmas break. In Westminster MP’s are back at work with Keir Starmer hoping for a New Year reset after a rocky first 6 months as PM and Elon Musk continues his X rampage. On Friday I returned to LBC as guest presenter taking calls on their morning show, plus lots of discussions about Surrey devolution over the weekend.
WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER
GUEST PRESENTING ON LBC Last Friday I sat in for James O’Brien as guest presenter on LBC. During my slot I spoke to a number of callers about topics ranging from government efficiency to the war in Ukraine. Now that President Trump has appointed Elon Musk to cut spending and improve efficiency in the US, should we try to do the same here? The answer may seem quite academic (lots of callers hated the idea of billionaires advising the government) but if we don’t, Rachel Reeves is highly likely to come back with more tax rises. On Ukraine, we discussed the shape of the peace deal Trump is likely to impose on Ukraine. If it is based on current de facto borders, how do you stop Putin coming back for another bite? I suspect Keir Starmer will have to decide whether he is prepared to commit British troops (perhaps alongside French and German ones) - one of the biggest foreign policy calls he will have to make.
NO MORE DOOM AND GLOOM I also recently spoke with the Financial Timesabout the state of the UK’s economy. I argued that instead of fuelling a mood of “declinism” Labour should be more confident in our strengths – and we have plenty of them including services, tech, and life sciences. Labour’s strategy to talk down the UK’s economic situation is a political ploy to blame their predecessors for difficult decisions - but is doing more harm than good as today’s figures from the British Chamber of Commerce show.
PATIENT SAFETY Today we had a big announcement on government plans to reduce waiting lists - but how do we make sure more targets don’t lead to another Mid Staffs scandal? As some of you may know, my return to the backbenches has meant that I have been able to return to my campaign to reduce avoidable death in the NHS by improving what is called patient safety. This includes occasionally guest writing a fortnightly newsletter for Patient Safety Watch - a charity of which I am the current chair. In the most recent edition, I covered topics such as how UK patient safety compares with other countries, safety vs targets in A&E, young people’s wellbeing, how staff shortages and ‘toxic’ culture has led to mothers and babies being harmed, and the compounded harm experienced by patients following safety incidents. I suggest anyone interested in these issues having a read.
CARE REFORMS Last week the government announced plans for a review into social care. Like Paul Johnson in today’s Times, this felt like kicking the can down the road. The issue is not agreeing to a plan (there was cross-party support for the Dilnot reforms and the care fees cap which I put into law) but getting the Treasury to fund them. The previous Conservative government delayed implementation by 2 years because of the energy shock but Rachel Reeves cancelled them altogether. Louise Casey will report in 2028 so nothing will now happen this parliament - something bitterly disappointing for the sector.
WHAT’S GOING ON LOCALLY
FLOODING AND FREEZING Following the sleet and rain over the weekend Flood alerts are in place on the River Wey especially around Elstead and flood warnings remain in place forUpper River Wey, Tillingbourne, Cranleigh Waters, River Blackwater and Cove Brook. There are numerous flooded roads and sadly Wey Court car park in Godalming is flooded once again. Please do take care given the freezing temperatures forecast overnight and there is moresnow/rain/ice forecast later this week.
SURREY ELECTIONS POSTPONED? Labour’s plans to replace Surrey’s two tier council system with a single tier of unitary authorities are moving forward and Surrey wants to be in the first wave. I agree with Surrey leader Tim Oliver who says we would benefit massively from a unitary authority and elected mayor. But I also want to make sure we don’t end up carrying the can for Woking’s £2 bn debt so will be watching this one like a hawk. This week Tim will respond to the government requesting postponement of Surrey’s May 25 local elections to 2026, with Mayoral elections for the new authority in 2027. Postponing any election is never ideal but it would avoid the scenario of three sets of elections in as many years (and avoid the huge resulting costs). Over to Angela now…
ALFOLD SEWAGE Unbelievably residents of Alfold have been hit once again with sewage overflowing in gardens especially in the Clappers Meadow area - thanks to Cllr Kevin Deanus and Alfold Clerk Julie Flenley for keeping me updated. This is completely unacceptable and keeps on happening - my most recent exchange with Thames Water on this issue was only back in December - with Thames Water CEO Chris Weston. We have a meeting lined up to discuss this and Thames Water's wider programme to address sewage issues, but in the meantime I have asked for solutions for Alfold residents again today. We need action - not sticking plasters. On a different note we were all incredibly sad to learn of the untimely death of Ed Mcudden, Chair of Alfold PC, on Christmas morning. Ed was a lynchpin of his community and will be sorely missed.
CHRISTMAS IN CRANLEIGH I spent Christmas lunch with the Hunt kids in Cranleigh Village Hall at a charity lunch organised for people who would have been on their own. What a lovely occasion - thanks so much to Marc and Fiona Scully and Natasha Victor for organising it.
WHAT A HOOT Watch out Godalming residents for the newest feathered resident about town. Can you find this plus the three other installations across Godalming? Amazing work Waverley Chainsaw Woody - thank you!
CRANLEIGH REPAIR CAFE A huge well done to Caroline and the team for a very successful morning yesterday at Cranleigh Repair Cafe with around 60 repairs carried out. The next session is Saturday 1st February at the Bandroom so please email on [email protected] to book in your slot as the team are usually very busy. What a fantastic successful enterprise.
UNWANTED CHRISTMAS GIFTS? From time to time we all receive a gift that perhaps we don't need or isn't quite to our taste. But, don't despair...as the Friends of the Royal Surrey will happily collect the item and use it to raise funds for the Cancer and Surgical Innovation Centre... where we are raising funds for six new operating theatres which will enable 7,000 more patients to be treated each year. Simply call 07932 411108 or email [email protected]
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.
AND FINALLY ...We were treated to a truly fantastic display in the skies last Friday with Venus and the Moon shining very close together - here are some spectacular images in case you missed it.
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