Dear Constituent,
This week the National Farmer’s Union, supported by over 10,000 farmers from across the United Kingdom descended onto Westminster to show the Government how the Autumn Budget 2024 was impacting their livelihoods and pushing centuries of generational farming into jeopardy.
It was also a good week for oral questions, I was selected for both a defence and transport question where I was able to relay constituents’ concerns about the Strategic Defence Review and ask about local infrastructure such as the Government’s plans for the A325 and Wrecclesham and their wider support for local council transport projects.
For those of you who may be having trouble reading this newsletter please respond to this email and I will ask the Association to transfer you to my plain white background newsletter.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do send me an email via [email protected], and my team and I will endeavour to help where possible.
With every good wish,
WHAT'S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER
ASKING THE MINISTER FOR UPDATES REGARDING HICKLEY’S CORNER AND WRECCLESHAM BYPASS
I am contacted frequently by residents in Farnham, as well as residents in Hampshire about the need for a Wrecclesham bypass to relieve commuting and traffic pressures on our small roads (particularly under the rail bridge by Weydon School). I have been hugely supportive of the need for a bypass and to remove unnecessary congestion between the west and the north of Farnham.
I also raised Hickley’s Corner, the main crossing point between Farnham town centre and the station and residential areas to the south. The last Government was working with Surrey County Council to make progress and improve access between the town and residential area of Farnham, but the Government has thus far been quiet on updating me with its progress. I hope to receive the Department’s update on both of these critical transport links soon.
I brought both of these issues to the House of Commons to ask the Minister in the Department for Transport for their latest analysis on the matter and what kind of timescale my constituents should expect. I will be sure to share the relevant updates from the department with my constituents via my newsletter and social media.
I'M BACKING BRITISH FARMING
This week I supported farmers from across Farnham, Bordon, Liphook, Haslemere and the surrounding villages.
Mr Milton of Kilnside Farm in Runfold was among the members of the rally organised by the National Farmers Union (NFU), which I have been a highly supportive advocate for in Parliament.
Our farmers feel let down by this Government and I will keep hammering home to the Prime Minister and his Agriculture Secretary, the importance of our agricultural industry for our long-term food security.
HEALTHCARE IN HAMPSHIRE DEBATE
For the residents of Whitehill and Bordon, the future of healthcare in our area is of extreme concern but the decisions about this have been poorly communicated by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB).
That is why I intervened in the adjournment debate on Wednesday evening to ask the Minister to support my request that the Integrated Care Board (ICB) include constituents in the decision-making, and in doing so, come to a decision that best supports Bordon - a growing town, with a growing population due to the Government’s housing targets.
BORDON TO LIPHOOK RAIL-BUS LINK
Following my meetings with the Ministers for Rail (Lord Hendy) and Local Transport (Simon Lightwood MP) in recent weeks, I have continued my work on exploring a rail-bus link between Bordon and Liphook train station. The results of my residents’ survey thus far clearly show that a link would improve passenger journeys for those already using the rail network, and encourage further use by those who make regular journeys.
On Tuesday I met with representatives from South Western Railway to understand their operational perspective on the rail-bus link. I appreciate their position that as an organisation they would not run the service themselves, but I was pleased to hear such a positive and supportive approach to the proposals. They fundamentally want to improve access to their services so I look forward to including them in further conversations with Stagecoach and others.
COMMITTING TO 2.5% OF GDP FOR DEFENCE SPENDING
The Strategic Defence Review is a policy document that each government produces to assess the country’s defence needs and priorities.
The 2021 Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper, emphasised the need for integrating technology to modernise defence to counter new threats such as cyberattacks, terrorism, and state adversaries like China - a country which I have already raised multiple times in the House of Commons.
In Defence Questions this week, I therefore urged the Government to take these external threats seriously and match the Conservative Government’s manifesto commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.
LORD DARZI COMES BEFORE THE HEALTH COMMITTEE
This week the Health and Social Care Committee interviewed Lord Darzi of Denham after he published a report into the NHS earlier this year.
I asked him three critical questions about the Government’s long-term NHS plan, data analysis and productivity.
Catch up on this week’s evidence session via the following link: https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/73a19a53-0528-4f76-b8fe-58022ccf1f66
POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER UPDATES
I met with Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and both Surrey and Hants Deputy PCCs who manage the safety and wellbeing of my Farnham, Bordon, Liphook, Haslemere and the surrounding villages constituent.
I work closely with both the Surrey and Hampshire (& IOW) police forces to make sure that our area is a safer and securer place for us to live and our children to grow up in.
CATCHING UP WITH KEY PARTNERS
With rising youth homelessness I was invited by friend and neighbouring MP, Alex Baker to attend her roundtable talk hosted by Step by Step a charity based in Aldershot but helping youth homelessness across the area. We have arranged a visit for us both to visit Step by Step in January to understand some of the concerns of the organisation throughout the colder months.
Further, I attended two sessions on violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), a huge issue which both the former and current Government have stepped up to tackle domestic violence with greater support allocated to community and council budgets.
Finally, I urge all those who haven’t to ensure they are up to date with their flu vaccinations. These can be booked via this link https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well/?wt.mc_id=wintervaccinations_genericLTHC_PPC_booking&wt.tsrc=search&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADPp1HWorDVCNwtLAVe80PUv83z0f&gclid=CjwKCAiA9IC6BhA3EiwAsbltOCm1Ju2nuX3-BV_yqvxZfTi4kqhgHwxn2wUPtD9HjbHsBZckc3fMPBoCMFIQAvD_BwE
WHAT'S GOING ON IN FARNHAM AND BORDON
LIGHTING UP FARNHAM
I was delighted to join Farnham’s Mayor and the Town Crier to switch on the Christmas lights last weekend. It was a fantastic evening, and it was great to see families, friends and local businesses all involved to kick Off the festive season.
The lights looked spectacular, and the event showcased Farnham’s wonderful community spirit. A huge thank you to everyone who helped organise the day’s activities and to those who attended.
A great start to the festive season!
Photo by Natalia Sharomova
TALKING TAX AT MEADOW COTTAGE FARM
I visited Meadow Cottage Farm to meet Peter and Celia, dedicated farmers who’ve built a thriving family business. They shared their deep concerns about Labour’s proposal to impose inheritance tax on family farms—a policy that would threaten livelihoods and the future of British farming.
This tax would unfairly penalise families who’ve worked hard for generations, undermining rural communities and our food security. Supporting local businesses like Meadow Cottage Farm is vital, and I’llcontinue to fight for policies that protect them.
THE HOGMOOR DISTILLERY
I thoroughly enjoyed attending the Christmas market at Hogmoor Distillery, hosted by Pauline. The event brought together a variety of local businesses, offering a fantastic selection of products, from unique gifts to festive treats.
The local distillery produces rum and gin, and I was delighted to try them both. I definitely encourage anyone in the area to pop along the next time you are out and about.
Markets like this play an important role in supporting our local economy and showcasing the best of what our community has to offer. It was great to see local people coming out to support small businesses, and I can certainly say their own gin was truly something special!
JOINING THE LITTER PICK IN BADSHOT LEA
I took part in the community litter pick in Badshot Lea alongside the Bloomers and local community association, where residents gathered to clean up the area. Alongside the litter pick, I helped with some landscaping to improve the local green space around the pond.
Community-driven initiatives like this are crucial for maintaining the beauty of our neighbourhoods and fostering local pride. It was fantastic to see so many people volunteering their time, and I’m committed to continuing to support efforts that make our communities cleaner and more vibrant.
ENJOYING THE FESTIVE MARKETS
I had a great time at both the Christmas market at St. Mark’s Church in Hale and the Yuletide Bazaar in Churt. Both events showcased a fantastic range of local products, from festive decorations to delicious treats. It was wonderful to see the community coming together to support local businesses and enjoy the holiday spirit.
I met Santa and his Elves at St Marks and enjoyed some delicious mince pies from Women’s Institute in Churt.
These events are a brilliant way to get into the Christmas mood while picking up unique gifts and celebrating the creativity in our community. It’s always heart warming to see so many people out supporting each other during the festive season!
A BREAKDOWN OF EMAILS I HAVE RECEIVED THIS WEEK
For those interested I thought that I might include a segment to give an overview of the types of emails my team and I have received this week.
At number one is health services and medicine, with the Assisted Dying Bill coming to Parliament next Friday the 29th of November I am being lobbied by constituents who are expressing their concerns and thoughts towards the legislation introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater. The next case type is crime, civil law, justice and rights, followed by agriculture, animals, food and rural affairs - both relevant to upcoming legislation, such as the Safer Phones Bill and the farmers inheritance tax (respectively).
Casework changes weekly depending on campaign body groups mailers, upcoming legislation and votes, as well as local issues such as weather conditions affecting roads, planning applications and proposed developments and often education, such as SEND.
