Since my last update, we have joined local residents and community groups in their campaign to stop Elmbridge Borough Council from closing Thames Ditton Community Centre. More on this, and my recent visits across the constituency, below.
It was a pleasure to judge so many excellent entries to my 2023 Christmas Card Competition. I visited the winner and runners-up this week to celebrate their achievements. Thank you to everyone who took part.
In Westminster, I spoke in an Urgent Parliamentary Question on UK military deployments to the Middle East and in Foreign Office questions. The House of Commons rises for Christmas recess next week, and will return in January.
I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for 2024.
Yours sincerely,
Dominic
Celebrating the winner of my 2023 Christmas Card Competition
A big well done to the winner and runners-up of my 2023 Christmas Card Competition:
First place went to Elyssia Gray (Year 5) from Ashley CofE Primary School
This year's runners up were:
Amelia Butler, Year 4, Cobham Free School.
Alexandra Schober, Year 5, Claremont Fan Court School.
I enjoyed reviewing so many brilliant entries from schools across Esher and Walton constituency. Thank you to everyone who took part this year - it was a tough decision with so many impressive entries!
User groups campaign to save Thames Ditton Centre for the Community
Representatives from user groups at Thames Ditton Centre for the Community including, Boomerang Bags, Men in Sheds, Bridge and Art groups, recently submitted a petition signed by over 1,200 Elmbridge residents calling for Elmbridge Borough Council to abandon their plans to close the centre and continue running and managing it directly.
Thames Ditton Centre for the Community is widely used by a range of user groups and a dementia support group also operates out of the centre. I recently visited the centre to meet with user groups to see how valued the centre is as part of the Thames Ditton community.
The user groups have my full support in their efforts to save Thames Ditton Centre for the Community. Add your name to the petition below:
I was recently down in The Heart for my latest pop-up surgery. Pop-up surgeries take place at different venues across the constituency to give people, who may not otherwise have the opportunity, a chance to come and raise any issues or concerns they may be having.
Thank you to all the residents who took the time to speak with me and to the team at The Heart for helping set up the surgery.
You can find out more about my available surgery appointments below:
Christmas is a time of giving and helping those across our communities who may need a little extra support. I recently stopped by Tesco in Hurst Park where the team are encouraging customers to pick up a few extra items with their shopping to donate to the Tesco Winter Food Collection.
A few key items the team in West Molesey are asking for include:
Mince pies and other festive food;
Tinned tomatoes;
Long life fruit juice,
Over the festive period, if you are able to do so, please consider picking up a few of the key items to drop off at the collection point.
You can find out more about the Tesco Winter Food Collection below:
Speaking in Foreign Office questions about the arbitrary detention of UK and dual nationals overseas.
12 December: I raised the case of Vladimir Kara-Murza, a UK-Russian dual national poisoned & jailed by Russia for criticising the war. I met his mother Elena in the morning, then in FCDO questions asked to meet the Foreign Secretary with Vladimir’s family to discuss the case.
05 December: In an Urgent Question on UK military deployments to the Middle East, I asked what action the government is taking with our allies to protect commercial shipping and freedom of navigation in the region, following a string of recent attacks.
