GOOD AFTERNOON & welcome to my weekly update no.320
 

Bumper edition this week! This is the last newsletter before the summer break so lots to squeeze in. But I can’t go further without saying a huge congratulations to European Champions the Lionesses - wow what a match yesterday! And thank you for putting us all in a good mood after a rather grim period in Westminster.
 

WESTMINSTER WHISPERS

YES EU CAN Over the weekend, it was announced that the US and EU had reached a trade agreement, with the trade bloc securing a 15% tariff rate. This deal will be seen as a victory for Trump, and averted disaster for the EU. Not everyone in Europe is happy about it but I remain one of the few who believe the real loser will be the United States. Check out this analysis from the Yale Budget Lab that shows the average US household will lose $3,800 from tariffs. Free trade makes economies more competitive and was one of Britain’s greatest gifts to the world as I explain in this podcast about the trade chapter of Can We Be Great Again?
 

TRAGEDY IN GAZA Following President Macron's announcement that France will soon recognise the state of Palestine, 220 MPs called for the UK government to do the same. Many will sympathise given that Palestinian statehood will be a necessary part of any two-state solution to which Israel is no longer committed. I am not sure this is necessarily the right answer (although the UK has always said it would recognise Palestine at the moment it would be most effective) but I do recognise justified outrage at Israel’s actions in Gaza. As someone who has long supported Israel and was the first Foreign Secretary to apologise for our shameful cap on Palestinian migration before WW2 I along with many others just cannot defend what is happening in Gaza. 
 

CRANLEIGH HEALTH WOES During Health Questions last week, I spoke out about the urgent need for health provision expansion at Cranleigh Village Hospital. Older residents who don’t drive desperately need better access to local healthcare through an expansion in neighbourhood health services. I normally rate Wes Streeting but was disappointed by his reply so the battle goes on. 

20 QUESTIONS I also recently sat down for a thoroughly enjoyable interview about Can We Be Great Again? with Matthew Stalden. A much more relaxed format than usual and well worth a listen.
 

LOCAL LIFE
 

TIME FOR THAT LIFT PLEASE Last week I met with Rail Minister Lord Hendy to push for the long awaited decision on Access for All funding - we need that lift! The feasibility studies are complete and the results are being assessed, surely not much longer before a decision is made? On Friday I visited Ash Vale Station myself to demonstrate just why we desperately need step free access. It took me 40 puffy seconds at pace to climb up the steps - not a hope of getting to the platform if you have a pram or you are in a wheelchair. Take a look at my vid…

GUILDFORD GONE CRAZY It's hard not to despair reading in the Telegraph yesterday Guildford may be the ‘most wasteful council’ in the country. A contract for fire doors has overspent by £1.6m which means total costs have rocketed from £2.5m in 2022 to £6.5m presently. Why this wasn’t identified before the spend is not explained - which is very concerning given the spotlight has rightly been on Guildford since the discovery of  £24.5m alleged fraud (Serious Fraud Unit investigation still live). And over in Waverley the CIL scandal continues - click here to listen to a powerful stating of the case by Steve Dally on GB News over the weekend. 
 

YET MORE PHONE MEETINGS I met EE last week, who like other providers, have been out and about driving around the constituency testing the current signal, with particular focus on Cranleigh High Street. EE are planning to upgrade existing 4G sites to 5G within the next few years which (hooray) includes many upgrades to masts across Godalming and Ash within the next financial year. I’ve pressed EE for details on exactly where we are going to see changes and when. We are slowly making progress - more meetings later in the year with Vodafone and O2 Virgin Media.
 

HOGSBACK BEES NEEDS YOU! I had a fabulous trip to Ash Green to meet super Beekeeper Astrid Bowers and her 140 bee colonies spread across 3 apiaries. And a first as your MP: I suited up as a beekeeper to take a closeup look. Astrid's passion for her bees shone through as she explained how maintaining the bees' food source has become increasingly difficult in recent years with increasing development, climate variation (including this dry summer) and decreasing wild flowers in the area. Did you know Bees travel up to 3km to collect nectar? So a chance to BEE more green fingered and get growing some bee friendly plants…and do buy the incredibly delicious Hogsback Honey - Squires in Badshot Lea is one seller.

POLICE PROGRESS Last week I enjoyed my regular catch up with Guildford and Waverley Borough Police Commanders to discuss crime and policing matters in Godalming and Ash. I raised a number of  antisocial behaviour issues and concerns in Ash and Dunsfold which both police forces are fully across. 
 

BRAMLEY FUEL LEAK I also had an update meeting with Philip Duffy CEO of the Environment Agency last week. It is mildly positive that EA haven’t received further reports of incidents since last September but it will still take years for the fuel to completely leave Bramley’s ground and groundwater so the technical teams are still meeting regularly and the clean-up continues. The pump and treat system continues to clean groundwater alongside vapour extraction units removing any fuel vapours. On a less positive front, uncertainties over identifying ownership and responsibility over the petrol station at the time of the leak continues to be an issue so it is not clear whether there will be criminal proceedings.