**
------------------------------------------------------------

GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome to my regular South West Surrey update No. 147. If you’ve been forwarded this email and find it useful sign up to get your personal copy here. ([link removed]) You can of course unsubscribe at any time.

PANDEMIC STATS As of today, we had a total of 4,903,434 positive cases of COVID-19 with 128,222 confirmed deaths in the UK. There have been 6,296 confirmed cases in Waverley and sadly 239 confirmed deaths, with an estimated 118 active cases in Waverley. All data is accurate as of 11am this morning. In the last week in the UK: coronavirus cases ⬆️66.9% but hospital admissions ⬆️24.2%, and deaths ⬆️1.6%. With daily hospital admissions ticking up only slightly to 240/day there is an impact on the NHS but it still feels manageable which is why…

FREEDOM BECKONS Later today the Prime Minister will set out what - subject to this week’s data - is likely to happen on 19th July as he announces his intention ([link removed]) to lift the rules on mandatory face coverings, social distancing and mass events. This marks a very significant shift away from the government legally obliging us to do certain things to personal responsibility. I have been cautious about the government’s approach to date but support this change: if we are able to keep hospitalisations, deaths and general pressure on the NHS down to the levels of other illnesses it makes sense for a free country to move to a different type of social contract. The new approach builds on the Health Secretary’s article ([link removed]) from the weekend where he said we’d have to learn to live with the virus in much
the same way that we live with flu each year. There will be one final review of the data on 12th July ([link removed]) but it seems pretty clear the government has made its mind up.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER Even though hospital admissions remain manageable a key question will be how high can they get before we hit panic stations again? We also still need to know what the government’s plans are for school bubbles - the current situation where whole classes are forced to isolate due to a couple of cases creates huge disruption for minimal health gain. Likewise why should those who have had both doses of the vaccine still be required to quarantine when returning from amber listed countries - surely regular testing would do the trick? Lots of detail to keep us hanging on the edge of our keyboards as we browse those travel websites.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NHS The Queen has awarded the NHS the George Cross ([link removed]) to mark its 73rd anniversary today. What a wonderful way to mark the occasion and recognise everything the service and its staff have done for us. I can never forget reading the stories of doctors saying how devastating it was last year to admit Covid patients to hospital knowing they were not only likely to die but die without ever seeing a relative again. This is only the third time the George Cross has been granted to a collective organisation so it really is a big - and well-deserved - honour.

The key number to remember for anyone with pandemic-related difficulties remains 0300 200 1008 the Surrey Helpline run by Surrey County Council (Mon-Fri 9 am to 5 pm).

WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER

MATERNITY SERVICES It is simply devastating to hear of yet another NHS trust with serious failings leading to avoidable deaths in their maternity unit going back for many years. Morecambe Bay, Shrewsbury, East Kent, now Nottingham ([link removed]) . The story is too familiar - bereaved families treated in a cold and defensive manner when they seek answers. I know Bill Kirkup and Donna Ockenden will shine a light on these issues in their respective reports on Shrewsbury and East Kent, but I am urging Ministers to order an independent inquiry into the issues in Notts too. Our Health Select Committee maternity report is out tomorrow and will address these issues in detail. Huge progress has been made on tackling stillbirth and neonatal death rates nationally - and the NHS can be proud of its achievements here - but we clearly have too many outlying hospitals where the message on safety, transparency and a learning
culture has simply not got through. My full Twitter thread here ([link removed]) .

WESTMINSTER WEEK Last week I did an interview on the Andrew Marr Show to talk about the priorities for the new Health Secretary. I also asked Sajid Javid a question about social care reform on the floor of the House of Commons and met a representative from Lloyds Bank to talk about their planned closure of a branch in Haslemere which is causing a lot of concern. Video highlights here ([link removed]) .

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH WEST SURREY

NEW CANCER INSTITUTE Half of us will get cancer in our lifetimes. We are really lucky to have the Royal Surrey as one of the region's preeminent cancer hubs with an enormous amount of expertise on how to treat cancer. What the Royal Surrey really wants and needs is a new Cancer Institute, which I'm hoping to help raise funds for. On Friday I met with some of the doctors and nurses who would be part of that new Institute and we launch our campaign in September. Check out my video here ([link removed]) .

SINGLE USE PLASTIC We use an incredible amount of plastic and I want to do what I can to reduce reliance on single use plastics. Today, I have written to Waverley’s Head of Environmental Services - Richard Homewood to ask for an update on Waverley’s Zero Waste Strategy and particularly whether they have hit the 15% a year reduction in residual waste target set out in their Net Zero plan. I also want to find out how the Surrey Single Use Plastic Strategy is working and when they plan to publish the new updated one. On a national level, I have also written to Environmental Minister, George Eustice, asking for an update on the Deposit Return Scheme - with the government we have had lots of big - and welcome - commitments but we now need to see delivery.

TILFORD PARISH COUNCIL I mistakenly wrote to Waverley Borough Council rather than Tilford Parish Council to highlight concerns in a post on one of the local community boards regarding conservation work in Tilford. I have since written to the Clerk of the Parish with my apologies - Tilford Parish Council does fantastic conservation work for which it deserves enormous credit and I would not have wanted to suggest otherwise.

See my list of local groups working to support vulnerable residents here ([link removed]) .

THE ECONOMY AND JOBS

RISHI-VISION On Thursday Rishi Sunak delivered his Mansion House Speech, which is traditionally the chancellor's key policy speech. Rishi spoke about the importance of international collaboration and plans to reinvigorate the UK’s financial services hub. I share Rishi’s optimism. But can we do the same for technology and life science and become the world’s next Silicon Valley? Rishi’s speech here ([link removed]) .

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON

TEA GATE A video ([link removed]) of an American woman struggling to operate a kettle to make tea went viral with four million views. Unsurprisingly, Brits were left very unimpressed. It all sounds like a bit of a storm in a teacup…
Sign up here for our emails! ([link removed])

[link removed] ([link removed])

PS If you don't want to receive this email please unsubscribe from the mailing list on the box below or let me know on [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) and we will take you off the mailing list. Anyone who wants to receive the email should also email the same address. We will not share your data with third parties.

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 MP and South West Surrey Conservatives, all at 2 Royal Parade, Tilford Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6TD.

============================================================

This email was sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
why did I get this? ([link removed]) unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) update subscription preferences ([link removed])
South West Surrey Conservative Association . 2 Royal Parade, Tilford Road . Hindhead . Surrey, GU26 6TD . United Kingdom