WELCOME TO MY WEEKLY UPDATE no.285 Back to work in Westminster today for the sobre one year anniversary of the brutal Hamas attack on Israel. Conservative MPs will also whittle down the leadership contenders to the final two and locally I had a jam-packed Friday including a positive visit to the Royal Surrey and some good news (finally) on Asda compensation for the long suffering people of Bramley.
WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER
OCTOBER 7TH ANNIVERSARY Today marks one year since Hamas’ attack on Israel. Reminder: Hamas started this conflict with the horrific murder of 1200 people and taking around 250 hostages, a bigger atrocity relative to population than 9/11 was for the United States. Just as then, the world has changed and trouble in the Middle East looms. My experience as Foreign Secretary is that problems in the Middle East always suck everyone else in. Even on the streets of London, in the last year, we have had more than 2170 anti-Semitic crimes recorded by the Met, which is an incredibly sad and troubling statistic. We must remember the victims of October 7th and also take a moment to hope and pray for the safe return of the 97 remaining hostages.
LEADERSHIP CONTEST This week, my fellow Conservative MPs will be casting ballots to decide the final two contenders. I am not publicly or privately endorsing anyone but am mildly encouraged by the level of debate so far: rather than blaming voters (which never works) we are doing the soul-searching necessary after our worst ever defeat. We should take no comfort from the mess of Labour’s start in office including yesterday’s resignation of Sue Gray: they have had a bad 12 weeks but have four years and 40 weeks to try and turn things round. For me one of the key tests of whether we are making progress will be whether we are attracting back support from younger voters who left us in large numbers at the election.
WHAT’S GOING ON LOCALLY
ROYAL SURREY CANCER AND SURGICAL INNOVATION CENTRE ABOUT TO TAKE OFF I caught up with Royal Surrey Chief Executive Louise Stead on Friday and we walked around the beautifully renovated St Luke's Centre (now renamed the Royal Surrey Cancer Centre). We talked about progress on the new Cancer and Surgical and Innovation Centre (not the same) which is moving ahead at pace. The Royal Surrey need some final planning approvals which I am going to contact Surrey Leader Tim Oliver about to try to speed along. But assuming that is resolved construction can start for an opening by the end of next year…fanbloodytastic! So far, we have raised over £555k for the centre - lots more work to do and probably marathons needing to be run…
STEP FREE ACCESS AT ASH VALE STATION Last week I contacted Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh MP to request a progress update after getting the go-ahead from the previous Transport Secretary Mark Harper. You will remember last May Ash Vale station was shortlisted for Access for All (AFA) government funding pending a successful feasibility study. I am eager to understand whether the funding is still allocated - and if so when it will be built.
CRIME STOPPER I met with Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend PCC to discuss ongoing concerns about anti-social behaviour across the constituency. We covered issues at Stovold's Hill and Lydia Park raised by many local residents and the involvement of Surrey police in enforcing any injunction on the Stovold's site. I was going to raise with Waverley CEO Pedro Wrobel but the meeting was frustratingly cancelled at short notice so I have written to him to request planning enforcement issues are addressed promptly. As there is an injunction on the Stovold's site WBC are able to enforce the legal position. Thank you to Alfold, Dunsfold, Bramley and Hascombe Parish Council's for keeping me up to date and representing their parishes so brilliantly.
BARHATCH LANE AND MY PET HATE I met residents of Barhatch Lane together with local Councillor Liz Townsend to discuss safety concerns on road that sees cars hurtling at enormous speed between Cranleigh and Shere. It was also an eye-opener to see for myself the amount of litter dispatched on the roadside by passing cars and cyclists - my personal bugbear as we have far too much of it on Surrey country lanes. The key safety issue here is speeding which should be dealt with via a reduction in the speed limit (currently 60mph) when the area is assessed under Surrey's safer rural roads review in the coming year. I will contact Surrey Leader Tim Oliver to press for drain fixing to prevent icy road surfaces in winter, improved signage and more frequent gritting.
BRAMLEY FUEL LEAK Although the clean up has a long way to go, some rare good news on Friday as Asda and Bramley Village agreed a support package of over £500k. To put this number in context it is over 5.5 times the Parish Council precept and 34 times the annual funds raised by the Village fete. Well done Bramley Parish Council, Cllr Jane Austin and all those community groups who have engaged with this process, and of course thanks to Asda for their constructive action and engagement. Our work does not stop here and I will continue to hold Asda and others to account on the clean up….. but in the meantime this is really positive.
SURGERY CALLS My first call was to a Compton resident about how to win government contracts which can be a nightmarish business. As someone who battled to get government contracts for his own I am very sympathetic to the issues and will try and find someone who can give him advice. I then spoke to a Cranleigh resident about problems in the mental health system about a new approach being piloted in some trusts called Open Dialogue. She has encountered a number of very serious issues in the provision of services which we discussed in some detail. I will talk to her again when the pilot results are published in case it is something we should be adopting in Surrey.
NEW WAY (OR NO WAY) ACCESS TO GODALMING TRAIN STATIONThanks to those of you who have been in touch about the potential closure of the New Way pedestrian gate and forwarded the (723 signatures and counting) petition. I’ve been in touch with Stuart Meek, CEO of SW Rail, who expressed concern about SW Rail having to return 4 times in 3 months to fix vandalism here. Nevertheless Stuart is looking into options to enable keeping this access gate open so I will keep you posted.
MAGIC FOR THE ROYAL SURREY Don't miss the opportunity to join us for this fun (and delicious!) afternoon tea which will include unbelievable tricks by magician Jared Gale. All funds raised will go to the Cancer & Surgical Innovation campaign. Taking place at Elstead Village Hall on Friday 8th November at 2.15pm, tickets cost £22 and are available to book on: ticketsource.co.uk/royal-surrey-charity or by calling 07932 411108. Don't miss this novel, entertaining afternoon that is sure to delight!
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AND FINALLY… A quick throwback to the Conservative Conference last week, where my team have regaled me with some of the freebies on offer from the leadership contenders - would you be swayed by fake tan ‘tomtuggentan’, a James Cleverly friendship bracelet or a Robert Jenrick tote bag…..or perhaps some ‘principled peppermints’ from Team Kemi?
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