GOOD EVENING & welcome to my update - no.268.

Now the election campaign is well and truly underway by popular request I will be sending out these updates twice a week. I write them myself so what you read will be my own views - and within the normal smoke and mirrors of an election campaign I will try to shed some light on issues, albeit from a strong Conservative perspective. And when it comes to local issues, no better place to start than my campaign launch video below.

NATIONAL NEWS

G7 FINANCE MINISTERS I had to make a 24 hour dash out of Surrey over the weekend for the G7 Finance Ministers meeting in Italy. My fellow finance ministers would have completely understood my absence - the G7 are after all the world’s leading democracies so everyone understands what happens in elections. But I wanted to contribute to the Ukraine discussion, in particular to see if there was any way we can get more financial support for Ukraine. Putin thinks he can win by being more patient than us - so we need to show him our support for Ukraine is not and will not wane. My contribution was well received and I think there is a general understanding amongst my G7 colleagues that this is the only real issue history will judge us on. I gave an interview to Bloomberg when I was there which you can watch here. 

NATIONAL SERVICE One of the Conservatives’ first big election announcements came this weekend with the Prime Minister announcing our plan to introduce a new model of national service for 18 year olds. Each 18 year old will be given the option to spend one weekend a month volunteering in their community or spend a year in full-time military commission. We anticipate, based on how it works in Sweden which we have looked at closely, that around 10% of young people will opt for the full fat military option so it is not compulsory military service. But I think it works as a policy because participants will gain real-life skills serving in jobs with the NHS or RNLI meeting people from all backgrounds. We also have to be honest that we live in an incredibly uncertain world at the moment where training more people as potential reservists is a sensible thing to do. William Hague has an excellent article in today's Times on the issue.

ENERGY There was some fantastic news on Friday from the National Grid that they will be investing a mammoth £60 billion in our energy infrastructure, creating 55,000 jobs. This is the sort of essential work needed so that we can continue to be a leader in the transition to renewable energy and comes alongside £1.1 bn of government funding to support new investments in offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and nuclear. That came on top of Ofgem announcing a fall in the energy price cap, which means the typical annual bill paid by direct debit will fall to £1,568 per year.– more information on that here. 

WHAT’S GOING ON LOCALLY

CAMPAIGN LAUNCH  I was absolutely delighted to launch my general election campaign on Saturday in Milford Village Hall. I am very proud to have such an uplifting and loyal team. With them (isn’t a brilliant part of British democracy that all parties have so many volunteers?)  I will spend the next five and a half weeks working hard for each and every one of your votes! Here is the first of my campaign diary posts, after I spent the long weekend door-knocking in Compton, Ash, Binscombe, and Cranleigh. You can also read the view of a very independent-minded Telegraph reporter who knocked on doors with me in Compton on Friday morning and seemed positive about the momentum behind our campaign.

BRAMLEY DRINKING WATER Cllr Jane Austin and I visited Head Alice Phillips and had a call with Thames Water management to try to speed up the school’s access to drinking water. TW are replacing a mains water pipe close and a valve close to the petrol station which in fairness is not a problem of their own making (unlike I am afraid many others which are). At least we know the cause of the leak/smell - shoddy workmanship on a pipe potentially as far back as 2016. I am seeking assurances from the Health Security Agency that there is no consequent risk to the health of Bramley residents, especially more vulnerable ones. For more information on the way the work will be split and traffic management, take a look at my post here.

PHYLISS TUCKWELL This Sunday 2nd June Phyliss Tuckwell will host an open garden in Chiddingfold to fundraise. Do take a look at the information here and support this wonderful cause.

GODALMING STATION In the video above I outline the issues that have been raised with me about Godalming station. I am in contact with South Western Railway and Surrey County Council about it and will keep you updated on my progress. In short why did they do it and why (sorry) did Waverley not stop it as they could have done? Totally stupid and frankly the money would have been better spent on potholes.

ASH VALE STATION However we had a victory last week. The Dept for Transport, in one of its last decisions pre election, approved funding for step-free access to Ash Vale station. We really need it as I explain in this video with my friend Rachel Morris. If I am elected I will make sure the money is spent as intended!

A REQUEST FOR HELP Team Jeremy has lots of volunteers and we are having a lot of fun. Indoors, outdoors, whatever takes your fancy– if you would like to help our effort we would love to see you! Just email [email protected]. If you would like more regular updates of my work locally and nationally, do follow me on Facebook, X (Twitter), WhatsApp or Instagram. 

AND FINALLY… This incredible former army officer’s challenge to complete the Mount Everest Marathon in fancy dress definitely motivates my team and me to keep going during our door-knocking sessions this week! She makes it look ‘easy peasy lemon squeezy’ so perhaps one for my next fundraising challenge for the Royal Surrey Cancer Centre…

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