Dear Constituent,
Welcome to my second newsletter, and from now on, these will be on a weekly basis to keep you updated on what is going on in Farnham, Bordon, Haslemere, Liphook, the surrounding villages and Westminster.
This week has been an insight into the new Government’s priorities: releasing criminals early, cutting support from pensioners and increasing Trade Union salaries.
However, as a backbench MP in Opposition, I was able to and will continue to, exercise my power to vote on behalf of my constituents. This week I voted against the Labour Government’s plan to cut the Winter Fuel Payment, spoke to constituents representing SEND children, and met with Roche Cancer Care and education providers in Parliament.
All of this, ahead of a fun-filled weekend in the constituency. As you may have seen from my social media and previous newsletter, my wife and I are taking part in the Farnham Charity Bike Ride where I am raising money for the Royal Surrey Hospital, used by thousands of my constituents. I have left the link below, for anyone considering donating and I am hugely grateful.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/gregory-stafford-1724859101479?utm_medi…
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
LABOUR'S ATTACK ON PENSIONERS: REMOVING THE WINTER FUEL PAYMENT
I received hundreds of emails from constituents over the past week regarding Labour’s bad budgeting and their attack on our elderly ahead of the Winter Fuel Payment vote.
If you have seen my social media, voting for the reinstatement of the Winter Fuel Payment was an absolute no brainer for me.
Whilst we all know that some pensioners don’t need this payment, there are thousands of pensioners in this constituency who are below the Government’s own poverty line, but are not entitled to other benefits. Moreover, this policy probably won’t even save any money.
My articles in the Farnham Herald regarding the Winter Fuel Payment are below:
https://www.farnhamherald.com/news/farnham-bordon-mp-greg-stafford-back…
https://www.farnhamherald.com/news/farnham-bordon-mp-hits-out-as-damagi…
MY QUESTION TO THE WORK AND PENSIONS SECRETARY
As highlighted in The Daily Express, on the 30th of August I wrote to the Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall on behalf of a constituent who had asked me how she was to help her husband, suffering with MS between choosing his health or their heating bill.
Not an 'impossible' question, if you ask me.
Article as follows:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1946757/Labour-key-question-win…
HOURGLASS EVENT IN PARLIAMENT
This week in Parliament I signed Hourglass’ pledge to protect elderly people from neglect and abuse.
Our elderly population will be the size of London by 2030 with people living longer, but we must ensure that they are protected from abuse and neglect - often by their own family and friends.
If you or anyone you know has concerns about this, please contact me at [email protected] and I will work with Hourglass’ brilliant team.
BACKING BRITISH FARMERS
I could not miss the opportunity to get in the red Massey Ferguson parked outside the Houses of Parliament this week.
The National Farmer’s Union, which the last Government has been highly supportive of, presented their annual plea ahead of the Autumn Budget to the Government to support our farmers, buy British and to think again before hiking taxes against farmers already struggling with a number of challenges this year.
I believe that supporting farmers is vital to protecting the industry and our food security. The NFU highlighted concerns against the Autumn Budget, that is why I am visiting farms across Surrey and Hampshire to understand their priorities ahead of the October announcement.
CRONYISM IN THE DEPARTMENT FOR HEALTH
After a recent investigation by The Times which uncovered concerning evidence that Alan Milburn, former Labour Health Secretary, has been granted free and open access to Government materials, I raised concerns of improper access leading to commercial advantage and cronyism with the Secretary of State.
Labour’s response - ‘the public should be grateful that he is being “extremely generous” with his time’ - neither you or I are fools.
https://youtu.be/lkHCXa_wP8w?si=j1uWp94cTl5Bn2Gf
WASPI WOMEN COMPENSATION - WHAT'S THE DELAY?
In opposition the Labour Government were supportive of the WASPI women and their compensation pleas, but have been quiet on the subject since taking up office!
I met some of the women affected and will be getting in touch with my local campaign organiser to see how I can best advocate on their behalf in Parliament to get compensation delivered effectively and efficiently.
ROCHE CANCER CARE
With my background in the NHS, Roche Cancer’s latest report includes 11 good recommendations for the Government and Health Secretary.
Roche is at the forefront of the battle against cancer, bringing together expertise and investment to enhance cancer care, I look forward to helping them fight for earlier diagnosis, better rehabilitation and patient care in the House of Commons.
DEBATES, QUESTIONS, MOTIONS
Recently, I have raised questions on Bordon’s rail link bus, intervened on the Winter Fuel debate, raised the continued plight of sub-postmasters still awaiting their conviction clearances and questioned the Health Secretary on inside information access within his Department.
Yesterday I received the good news that I have been successful in the next Department of Work and Pensions question time in the House of Commons (7th Oct 2:30pm). My question will be about the Winter Fuel Payment and pensioners - something I have no intention of letting the Labour Government get away with!
I also attended/signed up to a few APPGs on which I am now a Member/Officer including:
- Pharmacy
- Holocaust Memorial
- Health
- Ahmadiyya
- Kinship Care
- National Trust
- SEND
WHAT'S GOING ON IN FARNHAM AND BORDON
SEND EDUCATION: PARENT SUPER SURGERY
I know how parents and individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) issues often find themselves in impossible situations.
As the local MP this is something I am going to be working hard on as I want to see progress for those involved in both Surrey and Hampshire. I met with some of those that have contacted me for support at St Andrew’s Church to discuss the challenges they face individually and wider national issues.
This was an emotive and sensitive conversation so I’ll leave the specifics out of this newsletter, but rest assured there will be a lot more coming from me in coming weeks and months on this.
I will be writing again to the Education Secretary to follow up with SEND and VAT concerns, in the meantime here is my previous letter ⬇️
LOTS ON IN HASLEMERE
Haslemere Hall was filled with beer-lovers and hop aficionados this weekend as the annual Beer festival returned to the town.
I met with Simon, who impressively has organised the event since it first started running, to talk about the range of local beers and other drinks produced in Surrey and Hampshire, including sampling ‘Tilford Wit’, from our own Tilford Brewery.
The Haslemere Youth Hub celebrated its 5th birthday on Saturday, so I went along to speak to staff, parents, and volunteers about how the Hub offers so much for young people in the area.
MEETING THE WAVERLEY HOPPA TEAM
On Wednesday I met with some of the team behind the fantastic Hoppa Bus service that runs across Farnham, Godalming, Cranleigh and Haslemere. If you haven’t heard of it before, the Hoppa is an on-demand door-to-door service for those with access to no other form of transportation. This brings those that may be isolated back into the community, greater access to shops, events, and social activities.
The team are hoping to bring a ‘Hospital Hoppa’ service to Farnham for those that use Frimley Park Hospital, and I am going to be working with them in future to see how I can best support them to achieve this.
SEEING OUT THE SEASON AT FARNHAM CRICKET CLUB
As the colder weather draws closer the local sports calendar is now transitioning from summer to winter. On Saturday I went to support Farnham’s 2nd Men’s Team playing at home for their final match of the season. It was a pleasure to talk to spectators about the up-and-coming players on the field and there was an opportunity to reflect further on the legacy of cricket legend Graham Thorpe.
I was delighted to have been invited down by Gerry, who was playing on the day. Gerry and I have spoken over email recently when he emailed me to express his interest in politics and the life of an MP.
