Welcome to my weekly update no.349
Funny old week…we had the worst of British politics last week with the Mandelson scandal and then on Sunday the best of Britain with a London Marathon that saw a new world record. I guess the motto is never give up!
WESTMINSTER WHISPERS
IRAN STALEMATE The conflict in Iran has now been going on for nearly 2 months with no apparent end in sight and the latest round of talks cancelled at the last minute ([link removed]) . Whilst I welcome the fact that the UK and France have established ([link removed]) an “independent and strictly defensive multinational mission to protect merchant vessels” through the Strait of Hormuz, a deal that means it could actually be used seems a long way off. The good news is that President Trump seems to be pulling back from more military attacks but I suspect the disruption to the global economy is much greater than most think: this is already the biggest disruption to global oil and gas supplies in history and it will take, as just one example, five years and $20 billion to restore the Qatar natural gas
facility. Churchill was so right when he said about war ‘Once the signal is given, no man can control its course.’ Indeed it is not impossible that the consequence, in the longer term, will be a stronger Iran and a weaker America.
MORE ON MANDY In what almost feels like a serialised drama at this point, we have had more revelations relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment, with both Sir Olly Robbins ([link removed]) and Cat Little ([link removed]) giving evidence to MPs. I know Olly Robbins well and sacking him was a huge mistake that has poisoned relations between the government and the Civil Service. Today we will hear from Olly’s predecessor Sir Philip Barton and Morgan McSweeney and the House is to debate and vote as to whether the Prime Minister misled parliament. What was the Prime Minister’s original sin? Not the misjudged appointment – all PMs make mistakes – but the cack-handed way he has thrown so many of his closest lieutenants under a bus to save his own skin.
CIL SCANDAL COMES TO WESTMINSTER After many months of pushing, I have secured a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday on the injustice of huge CIL charges impacting people who have done home extensions – in Waverley and across the country. The debate may be delayed depending on when parliament is ‘prorogued’ – which we know the government wants to do before mid-day to avoid PMQs. Locally, despite a review process now being in place, no one has yet been refunded by Waverley one year on, something I will be holding them to account for in my speech. The Housing Minister is very open to changing the law so I hope we will get some practical commitments and a timetable.
MY FOURTH LONDON MARATHON! What an amazing day on Sunday - the atmosphere was brilliant and it was truly the best of Britain to see London looking so wonderful with such fantastic crowds from all backgrounds cheering us on. I saw a sign saying ‘If Starmer can hang on in there, so can you!’ which I was tempted to photograph and send to the PM. I made it around the course as part of Team Chazza - running in memory of my dear brother Charlie, who we lost in August 2023 to a rare and aggressive cancer called sarcoma. Charlie loved running and persuaded me to take on my first marathon just days before I unexpectedly became Chancellor. I had thought three marathons might be enough - but this year my sister Susie twisted my arm to run again to help her raise £1 million for Sarcoma UK ([link removed]) . I raised £22,141 towards that from 219 people so a MASSIVE thank you! I am knackered but exhilarated, not least having run five miles wearing a large bone made of foam! Take a look at my
vid below from the finish line… and here ([link removed]) is the link for any last minute donations.
[link removed]
Click on the image to view the clip.
🎖️KINGS AWARD FOR CRANLEIGH ARTS Another special occasion on Friday in Cranleigh, where I was proud to attend the presentation of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service to Cranleigh Arts - a highly prestigious and well-deserved honour. Cranleigh Arts plays a vital role in the village and the wider area. Congratulations to everyone involved - an outstanding achievement!
BEST BUSINESS BREAKFAST Great to join the Best Business Group ([link removed]) for breakfast this morning at The Bray ([link removed]) in Shere. Established in 2001 it is a supportive network for local SMEs and we had a great talk about my Shere upbringing and small business roots. Delicious bacon baps too!
ARTINGTON PARISH & RESIDENTS I ended Friday in the splendid grounds of Loseley House where I met with local parish councillors and residents. It was a lovely opportunity to meet, chat and take questions from attendees. And the discussion went well beyond Artington issues.
WILDFIRE WARNING Spring has brought with it some lovely sunshine – but it has also meant we have already seen fires across Surrey, including Blackheath and Hankley Common. The Surrey Wildlife Trust has warned that hotter, drier conditions mean we could start to see larger and more dangerous wildfires in the years ahead so please avoid using disposable barbecues and take litter home.
ELECTION MADNESS I’m afraid we are now fully in pre-election mode, and with that has come a fair amount of misleading and distorting claims, particularly about Surrey County Council’s finances which are some of the healthiest in the country. So forgive me for putting the record straight: Surrey has delivered balanced budgets year after year ([link removed]) , this year finishing with a £1m surplus on a £1.2 billion budget, while also adding to reserves. Its borrowing is not speculative but investment in Surrey, including specialist schools and community infrastructure, with financing costs at a low and sustainable level of around 6% of income. Don’t forget to have your say on May 7th!
SURGERY CALLS My first call was to a British-Iranian local resident worried about her safety following the Iran war. She is all too aware of the measures taken by the Islamic Republic against people – even in the UK – they consider threats. I then spoke to Emma Young, head of Godalming College, about the need to sustain mental health support for students, something becoming much harder because of funding pressures. I also discussed the very frustrating parking issues where there has been a lot of concern from Busbridge residents.
AND FINALLY…with elections to West Surrey Council just 9 days away, I’ve been out and about across Godalming and Ash with our councillors and brilliant candidates. Here are a few snapshots from last week where I was out in places like Dunsfold and Shere…
** Useful Links
------------------------------------------------------------
Register to vote - Register to vote - GOV.UK ([link removed])
Report a pothole - Surrey County Council FixMyStreet ([link removed])
Report an issue WBC - Report Issues or Problems | Waverley Borough Council ([link removed])
Report an issue GBC - ([link removed]) Report an issue - Guildford Borough Council ([link removed])
Surrey police non-emergency - Contact us | Surrey Police ([link removed])
Citizens Advice Surrey - Home - Citizens Advice South West Surrey ([link removed])
============================================================
This email and any attachments to it (the 'Email') are intended for a specific recipient(s) and its contents may be confidential, privileged and/or otherwise protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient or have received this Email in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone or email, and delete it from your records. You must not disclose, distribute, copy or otherwise use this Email. Please note that email is not a secure form of communication and that the Conservative Party ('the Party') is not responsible for loss arising from viruses contained in this Email nor any loss arising from its receipt or use. Any opinion expressed in this Email is not necessarily that of the Party and may be personal to the sender.
Promoted by Sean Donovan-Smith on behalf of Jeremy Hunt and Godalming & Ash Conservatives, all at 2 Royal Parade, Tilford Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6TD.
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
Copyright © 2026 Godalming and Ash Conservative Association, All rights reserved.
Membership
Our mailing address is:
Godalming and Ash Conservative Association
2 Royal Parade, Tilford Road
Hindhead
Surrey, GU26 6TD
United Kingdom
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.
Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
[link removed]
