HELLO & welcome to my weekly update no.334

Westminster is calming down from the budget (a bit) but feeling rather queasy at the prospect of a pro-Russian peace deal being forced on Ukraine. Locally Christmas activities are well underway. After Ash Fantasia last week, it was time to put up the Hunt family Christmas tree over the weekend…
 

WESTMINSTER WHISPERS

ZELENSKY IN TOWN President Zelensky is in London today to meet with European leaders to discuss the current peace plan. As someone who has met Zelensky more than  once and always admired him greatly, I am not alone in finding the current plan deeply disturbing. Yes, conceding a de-facto (if not legal) border on current lines may be a necessary price to pay for a ceasefire. Yes we may have to agree Ukraine won’t join NATO. But it is America’s refusal to arm Ukraine properly that is the root cause of recent battlefield losses. This appalling war could be stopped on our terms if we wanted it to be. This could also be a moment when European leaders step up but again, sadly, there is little sign of it.
 

WHERE ARE THE JOBS? With nearly one million young people now not in education, employment, or training, Labour are trying to get ahead of the next big crisis to dominate the media. Their new plans suggest there will be sanctions for those who refuse opportunities. I am afraid I would be tougher as I am totally spooked by the number of university students going straight onto welfare. Surely in areas where there are jobs, there should be no out-of-work benefits for under 25s? As an article in the Spectator this week pointed out, more than one in five adults in Birmingham, Liverpool or Manchester are on out-of-work benefits, rising to half the population in parts of Blackpool and Glasgow.

NAZANIN: WHAT REALLY HAPPENED When I was Foreign Secretary, I ignored advice not to meet Richard Ratcliffe who I was told was dangerous. In fact he and Nazanin are two of the bravest people I have ever met. This brilliant documentary about their ordeal brought tears to my eyes. I contributed some interviews for it but it was full of details I didn’t know. It is the best account yet of the agony they went through, along with another remarkably brave hostage Anoosheh Ashoori. And the lesson? If we really believe in freedom, then we should stand up for it without hesitation when an innocent person is wrongly imprisoned abroad.

BUDGET ROUND UP It won’t surprise you that I was not a fan of the budget. But I avoided media after it because I think former holders of the office need to show some restraint. I did, however, do an interview with entrepreneur Rob Moore on his Disruptors podcast which, like last time I spoke to Rob, was surprisingly good fun.

CRANLEIGH LEISURE CENTRE DELAYS… Work on the new building is not expected to start until summer 2026 with completion in 2027 at the earliest…for no apparent reason. Alarm bells are ringing though as a ‘thorough project review’ is underway. Costs have ballooned to £31 million already and the worry is Waverley will be back for more cash. I am keeping an eye on this as is Cllr Jane Austin at the Waverley Scrutiny Committee.
 

AS FRIMLEY REBUILD STORMS AHEAD For Ash residents some great news as Frimley’s rebuild moves a step closer - with a preferred site now selected and the outline case submitted. The existing 1970’s building is riddled with asbestos poison called RAAC so earlier this year the Government committed a whopping £2 billion for a new 800 bed hospital. Frimley Trust is "on track" with construction expected to begin between 2028 and 2029. Maybe they could lend their project managers to Waverley for the Cranleigh Leisure Centre?
 

TO CROSS OR NOT TO CROSS I’m still receiving reports of delays caused by the newly installed safety upgrades especially at Chilworth and Milford level crossings. I’ve been in touch with South Western Railway and fingers crossed teething issues are all resolved now, but it's been a frustrating few weeks for those stuck behind the barriers.
 

HIGHLIGHTING OESOPHAGEAL CANCER 'Progress' is a new charity that provides support for people with oesophageal cancer and I met two of the Trustees to hear more about their amazing work. I have also been contacted by a constituent who has set up Oesophageal Cancer Awareness UK group on Facebook. Check them both out – it is a silent killer which we all need to learn more about.
 

WALSH CofE JUNIOR SCHOOL In the last two years Pete Bailey and his team have turned Walsh Junior School into a huge success. Thank you for making me welcome - and particularly to the two Heads of School for brilliant questions. Think I managed to answer them  just!

CRANLEIGH WIFI HOTSPOTS Cranleigh BID and its levy payers now have 7 Wi-Fi hotspots starting at Cranleigh Arts Centre all the way down to Brightcare. This includes both Carpark’s which means the new payment machines can accept Applepay. People can now make calls and send messages through WhatsApp - huge progress!
 

SURGERY CALLS My first call was to a teacher at Godalming Sixth Form College who  working with students at the College to help local businesses with free consultancy and marketing advice. She really is using the creativity of the students to move mountains. Do you know a business that would like some free help? Please email her at [email protected]. I then spoke to a veteran about his campaign to make sure the Armed Forces operate within the rule of law. It’s a very important issue which I am chasing with the Defence Secretary.
 

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY Brilliant to be out and about this weekend in support of Small Business Saturday - here is a video of me with Shadow Business Secretary and neighbouring MP Andrew Griffith. I was delighted to support a few local establishments on my travels - Elliotts in Chiddingfold and Natter Café in Farncombe. And a big shout out for Dunsfold Village Shop fantastic community store run by volunteers - who held their Christmas extravaganza on Saturday! Sadly I wasn’t there but Cllr Kevin Deanus and Cllr Jane Austin were spotted indulging in a little Glühwein!