GOOD AFTERNOON & welcome to my weekly update no.290
The Donald’s done it again…with an extraordinary and decisive win across the pond. Lots for us to think about in the UK alongside more repercussions from Rachel Reeves' budget which looks like it is running into some serious difficulties. Back in the patch I was privileged to go to an exceptionally moving Remembrance Sunday service in Ash.
WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER
TRUMP IS BACK and not just back but back with a vengeance winning in a way virtually no one predicted, getting a clean sweep of the swing states, a majority of the popular vote and in all likelihood control of both Houses of Congress (the House of Representatives being the one to watch as that controls the money). Because America is the world’s biggest democracy, biggest economy and biggest military power it changes pretty much everything: the future of Ukraine, the future of NATO, free trade and climate change. With my former foreign secretary hat on (and as someone who met the President several times), my advice to my successor would be simple: what is the most important thing to get right? When there is a war in Europe started by a dictator who wants to rebuild the Soviet empire, the answer is straightforward: we need to secure the future of NATO. And that means, however uncomfortable it may be, admitting that Trump has a point when he says Europe has been free-riding on defence. I committed us to increase spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030 but Labour has backtracked on this. Time for a rapid rethink because the one thing we do not want to lose is US leadership of the most successful alliance ever. That rethink may just be starting according the rumours in Westminster.
IS THE BUDGET UNRAVELLING? Chancellors know that it is not what happens on the day that matters but the aftermath of budgets that decide if they are going to unravel. We are not at that stage yet but headlines like this Tesco's tax bill going up £1 bn in the Sunday Times and the thumbs down from Paul Johnson of the IFS in today’s Times will be carefully watched in my old department. The budget really needed to set out two big arguments: how the government was going to improve public services and how it is going to grow the economy. On the former we know the answer: money. That is an answer, if a very old Labour one. But on the latter we heard nothing at all, just the OBR downgrading growth forecasts as a result of the budget measures. Rachel Reeves will be trying to gain back ground on the latter in her Mansion House speech later this week. I think she will be building on my Mansion House pension fund reforms so may find myself curiously welcoming what she says on that at least.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY Yesterday was Remembrance Sunday which I spent in Ash. It is always an important day but I have to say the people of Ash did it beautifully, perhaps because of the town’s strong military connections. I met Ash Manor School Combined Cadet Force - here we are in front of the fantastic knitted poppy wall, one poppy for each person named on the war memorial on Ash Hill Road. I also laid a wreath at the very moving service by the memorial. Thank you to Cllr John Tonks, Ash Parish Council and all those local groups, organisations and churches for the first class organisation - but most of all to the many young people who showed up to demonstrate we really are not forgetting our fallen heroes. Last week I also visited the Field of Remembrance in Westminster on behalf of Godalming and Ash constituents.
WHAT’S GOING ON LOCALLY
MOBILE PHONE CONNECTIVITY My battle to get the networks to improve mobile connectivity started in earnest last week when I met with BT/EE, Vodafone and Three, with another meeting this week with Virgin Media/O2. I went through where our known ‘not spots’ are (Cranleigh and Godalming high streets, Shamley Green, Peaslake and Bramley amongst others) so the next step is to map those against where they are planning to expand their networks so we can make sure all the gaps are filled. Some potential investment depends on approval being given to the Vodafone/Three merger which will be decided in December. But I know need your help in filling in a survey that tells me how good the coverage is in specific places by network. Watch out for it when it arrives.
GODALMING TRAIN STATION SIDE GATE SAVED Brilliant news from Stuart Meek CEO of SW Railways that the side gate for Godalming station will remain open for customer use. Many residents have contacted me about this after fears the gate would be permanently closed following cases of vandalism and fare evasion. As long as you have a ticket you will be able to access the platforms from this gate as will Meath residents.
CATCH UP WITH WAVERLEY BOROUGH COMMANDER Rob Brian updated me on local concerns including rural crime, shoplifting and recent hotspots of antisocial behaviour - there is a lot going on so I am really grateful the local police are on top of so many issues. No crime is too small to worry about but also worth remembering we remain the 4th safest county in the country and the most safe of all for homicide. Thanks to PCC Lisa Townsend and commitments by the last government we also have more police officers than ever before.
SURGERY CALLS My first call was to a Thursley resident about the assisted dying bill. He was concerned that the current system is not humane and forces people to travel to Switzerland to end their lives if they are terminally ill and in great pain with no prospect of relief from painkillers. The private members bill by Kim Leadbetter is being published this week and the vote is on 29th November. I have traditionally not supported assisted dying because I have worried about unintended consequences. But my view has evolved because I think that faced with a terminal illness myself I might want some control myself over my ending - and that therefore I should not vote to stop other people having that control as well. It is a really really difficult issue and I will be reflecting carefully on it in the next three weeks.
I then spoke to Jon Watson, Chair of the Management Committee of the Arbuthnot Hall in Shamley Green as well as Lucy Camsey and Cllr Mike Band. The hall is a historic arts and crafts building which is at risk if it is not rebuilt. There is a huge campaign in the village to raise the £1.5m necessary which I am going to support in every way I can - if it is something you can help with please let Jon or me know! More details here.
SURREY HILLS SYMPOSIUM As you will know, I am a strong supporter of our stunning Surrey Hills National Landscape (formerly AONB) and I have campaigned for years to increase the Surrey Hills AONB, which I hope will soon become a reality (2nd stage of the expansion consultation process is underway right now). So please attend the annual symposium which will be held this Wednesday 13th November 5pm-8pm. The theme is "Nature Calling - A vision for our Future Landscape" and it will feature a showcase plus speakers who will share their ideas for the future of the National Landscape. For more details and to book your place click here.
BUSY WINKWORTH ARBORETUM Following a few hugely popular weekendsjam packed with visitors, Hascombe residents have contacted me frustrated about with cars parked on verges.I will pick up with the National Trust.
MEETING WITH CRANLEIGH BID Great to meet Cranleigh BID Manager Christine Martin and Frances Pearce. Cranleigh BID represents over 200 businesses and the business plan to 2028 includes major marketing, events and support, plus a plan for free wifi.
SHALFORD RESTORED WAR MEMORIAL The Shalford War Memorialrededication service yesterday went well (sorry to miss it). The memorial’s restoration has recently been completed following being hit by a car a few years ago so great that it has been restored.
BRAMLEY XMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON Final call to head down this Thursday 14th 6pm to Bramley car park for their inaugural festive Xmas light switch on which promises to be a very special moment of celebration following the trials of the fuel leak this year. More detail on the upcoming public meeting set for the 29th November next week…
MAGICAL TEA RAISES OVER £1,700 Well done to the brilliant Friends of the Cancer and Surgical Innovation Centre campaign team who raised a staggering £1719.86 on Friday afternoon in Elstead. Massive thanks to all of the organisers and to everyone who came along to support the event and watch a very entertaining magic show and fabulous afternoon tea. I even got to take part in the dreaded audience participation bit!
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 ... lovely Odiham over the border in Hampshire has experienced 0 hours of sunshine so far this year - it's all apparently due to ‘anticyclonic gloom’. Come on sunshine and wind we need to produce some renewable energy - it's not looking good this month!
Great to see the new signage installed at our joint constituency office. Catching up with my fellow MP Greg Stafford and our respective teams, all working hard for our constituents.
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