53rd Weekly Newsletter
Yet another senior member of the Labour Government is in the spotlight this week, as Rachel Reeves has been found to have breached letting regulations while renting out her family home – all while living in Downing Street. After a fraudulent Transport Secretary, a corrupt City Minister, and a tax-dodging Deputy Prime Minister, this marks the second ‘dodgy landlord’ in Government, following the now-former Homelessness Minister who hiked rents on her tenants back in August. Not exactly a great track record.
Greg
FEATURED THIS WEEK
Changes to Farnham’s parking to come
The Conservatives set out plans yesterday for a suspension of on-street parking charges in Farnham – excellent news for the town. Today I joined discussions with business owners that point to further joint intervention by local Councils. I hope to bring you more on this over the coming days.
All set for my first ‘Health Fair’
Farnham Leisure Centre will be bustling on Friday 14th November as 35 local organisations, including our NHS, join my first ‘Health Fair’ - open to everyone to learn more about healthcare right in our community. The event is from 10am-12pm - do come along.
Launch of the Poppy Appeal in Liphook
I joined military personnel and others in Liphook to mark the launch of this year’s Poppy Appeal in the run up to Remembrance Weekend. More than £1,000 was raised on the first day. The Royal British Legion does an excellent job supporting our veterans.
Donate to the 2025 Poppy Appeal
Bordon’s Beacon of Peace Charity Walk
Nineteen charities across our community were supported by the Beacon of Peace’s event at the Hogmoor Inclosure on Saturday. The event, organised by our local Ahmadiyya Muslims, is a great example of community spirit in action - with ample delicious food available for everyone that supported the event!
Pride and ambition at South Farnham
Two outstanding pupils at South Farnham School gave me a tour full of enthusiasm and pride in their school. With its teacher training centre supporting hundreds of new educators each year, the School supports education right across our area. I also visited Highfield South Farnham - more on that next week.
HANDS OFF THE FAMILY HOME
Leaked Treasury plans point to new taxes on homes – from capital gains on family properties to a possible land value tax. For families already facing high mortgages and rising bills, it would be the final blow. In our area, where the average home costs around £660,000, that could mean thousands more each year. A tax on the family home is a tax on aspiration – it traps people, freezes the market and punishes those who’ve done the right thing.
The alternative is clear: scrap stamp duty on main homes and get Britain moving again. Home ownership builds pride, stability and stronger communities – things worth protecting, not taxing.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT LATEST
The Government has now confirmed that Surrey will move to a two-unitary model, with Waverley joining a new West Surrey authority alongside Guildford, Woking, Spelthorne, Runnymede and Surrey Heath. While the decision brings some clarity after months of uncertainty with Labour’s reorganisation agenda, the financial risks remain significant.
Woking’s catastrophic debt position – which I first raised with Ministers earlier this year – continues to cast a long shadow, but the Government has confirmed an initial £500 million support package for 2026/27. The arrangements for the remaining unsecured debt are still to be finalised, and I will keep pressing to ensure Waverley residents are not left to shoulder the cost of decisions made elsewhere.
For my Hampshire constituents, the timeline for local government reorganisation remains unconfirmed, but I believe it is essential for our democracy that elections, in some form, happen in May next year.
CASEWORK ROUNDUP
Casework remains busy across the constituency, with recent issues including DVLA licence delays, business and regeneration in Liphook, and adult social care in Surrey and Hampshire. I continue to help families facing long waits for SEN support, and have recently raised visa and Private Hire Vehicle licence delays with the Home Office and TfL.
My upcoming surgeries are booking up fast, with limited availability before the new year – so if you need my help, please get in touch soon.
