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WESTMINSTER ANNOUNCEMENTS
HEALTH Yesterday Rishi Sunak committed to 250 new or modernised GP surgeries, 2.5 million more checks and more care services if the Conservatives are elected to Parliament. The NHS is a top issue for many people and one close to my heart, not least because of all the fundraising we are doing for the Royal Surrey Cancer Centre. I think the key solutions are a) more doctors and nurses b) less bureaucracy and targets and c) better computer systems. On all three I have made progress as Chancellor, not least with last year’s long term workforce plan which will double the number of doctors we train. Pharmacies matter, which is why saving the Boots in Farncombe mattered, but in Ash in particular people are waiting too long for a GP appointment so I will push for it to be included as one of the areas to get an improved GP practice.
RIVER POLLUTION has been in the media recently so an update on what is happening. Firstly myth busting about the government’s record: in 2010 only 7% of sewage discharge pumps were monitored, now they all are; we have made fines for sewage companies unlimited and as Chancellor I decided all fines should be recycled into river clean ups; we have stopped water bosses taking dividends if they aren’t meeting their discharge targets; and the only company doing worse for leaks than Thames Water is the nationalised Scottish Water so this is not about privatisation. What needs to happen is a shed-load of investment, as we discussed in the 3 Thames Water public meetings I organised locally. At the first, the then CEO agreed to invest £200m locally, much by the end of next year and at the most recent Ofwat committed public that Thames Water customers will not bail out Thames Water for some very bad decisions made by their managers and owners. Nationally Ofwat are going to require £99 bn of investment over the next five years, massively more than ever before. So a bit like the NHS there is a solution in place but there is clearly much that needs to be done.
NATIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE OF GODALMING AND ASH There is lots of national interest in what is going to happen in Godalming and Ash as one of the most marginal seats. Ed Davey says my seat is one of ones he most wants to win which is rather bemusing after all those years we sat around the Cabinet table together in the coalition days. I spoke to the Sunday Telegraph about our local campaign and my thoughts on the national campaign. Dan Hodges from the Mail on Sunday joined me for a canvassing session too which you can read here. And don’t forget tomorrow night at 9 pm is the first leaders debate on ITV. When I did my head to head with Boris Johnson in the 2019 leadership contest ITV made us stand in silence for 5 minutes before the cameras switched on…it was truly the longest five minutes of my life so I hope they don’t inflict that on Rishi and Keir…
WHAT’S GOING ON LOCALLY
BRAMLEY FUEL LEAK LATEST It is I suppose good news that we now know what has caused the issue and what needs to happen to solve it but it feels like it will get worse before it gets better for long standing Bramley residents. I was in the village yesterday and today - the latest concern is BT Openreach saying they won’t be able to fix broadband issues because they can’t send electric pulses down copper wires where there are petrol fumes. We need to get all the companies and agencies around the table so yesterday I spoke to Surrey Leader Tim Oliver who has agreed to set up a Gold Command which will do that. I have confidence that with Surrey Highways around the table the nightmare traffic works will be shortened to the minimum time possible and am chasing just how long that will be. All the while 616 households remain without water, very stoically judging by the doorstep conversations I had today. Cllr Jane Austin will keep you informed through our social media channels.
UNDECIDED VOTER Q&A EVENINGS THIS WEEK IN MILFORD, CHIDD AND SHERE I want to give as many people as possible the chance to ask me questions directly so am planning 12 public meetings for undecided voters. We had a successful debut in Elstead on Friday night and the next one is tomorrow at 7 pm in the Milford Village Hall and then at 7 pm in Chiddingfold Village Hall on Thursday.
After that they will be (all at 7 pm):
- in Shere Village Hall on Fri 7th
- Bramley Village Hall on Sun 9th
- Cranleigh Village Hall on Mon 10th
- Arbuthnot Hall Shamley Green on Wed 12th
- Chilworth Village Hall Thurs 13th
- Compton Village Hall Fri 14th
- Godalming Baptist Church Mon 17th
- Alfold Village Hall Tues 18th (7.30pm)
- Victoria Hall Ash Mon 24th (7.30pm)
It’s not necessary to come to the one nearest you if another date is easier - but please note they are for undecided voters, not people who have firmly made up their mind.
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